I used to visit semi-regularly for the brunch. Would go more often if I had the time. Went for dinner on mother's day. It was my first time having dinner there. Will, our server, was awesome. The food was very good. The bread and olives that were brought out were great. Everything tastes fresh, all the flavors tasted on purpose. I'm a fan.
(5)
Nicole P.
I guess I won't be a hipster and put down a place that has had more positive reviews in reputable publications like the NY Times than most any other restaurant in this area but...I like it. I've been here twice at this point; both times for weekend brunch. It was extremely busy both days, but there was little to no wait. Yes, it gets crowded in this place and there is very little room to move around. If you have a problem with small walkways, this isn't your place. If you're familiar with the words "excuse me", check it out. Both times (because I'm apparently an old man who enjoys a routine) I had the Crepe Zola. It was great and tasted just as good the second time as it had the first time. My friends tried the Florentine Crepe and the Ratatouille Crepe, as well as a house salad, some sort of side order of red skin potatoes, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, espresso, and Turkish coffee. Having two grown men tell me that they were surprisingly full after a crepe, added to the fact that I was unable to finish either of mine (each on separate visits), makes me feel like the crepes are indeed wholesome and good. From what I heard about the beverages, they're pretty impressive if you consider yourself knowledgable in coffee/espresso. I'm not a big dog so I stayed on the porch and had raspberry iced tea. Cool place altogether. I will definitely return.
(4)
Donna F.
Ordered a breakfast item, and it was just ok. Sat outside, and service was good.
(3)
Mitch M.
In a word: Pretentious. This place typically has a long wait to get food (Ann Arbor is filled with pretentious yuppies who eat this stuff up), and after the usually rude wait staff has seated you prepare your eyes for a menu that is lacking in almost every way. Oh, except in price. They sure know how to take every dollar they can from people. Essentially, you're paying for the status of saying "I went to Cafe Zola for brunch" ... and if you're in such desperate need to feel good about yourself that way, why not at least have some enjoyable food? I'm not saying their food is bad, per say, it's just an ... acquired taste. What's most disappointing is that they cater exclusively to the yuppie crowd and if the kind of food these people eat isn't what you're looking for, why go to their yuppie treehouse? There is a restaurant in the South Loop in Chicago called Yolk which is similar in some ways, but has better food, better prices and a better staff. If you're from Chicago and know of Yolk and go to Cafe Zola expecting similarities, prepare to be greatly disappointed. I truly wish Cafe Zola would take some lessons from Yolk. I've been here for brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks... A lot of my friends like it (and these friends are as stuck up as they come). After paying $15.00 for a waffle last time I went, I decided it was time to just say no. I encourage anyone who hasn't been to do the same: just say no to Cafe Zola.
(1)
Julie H.
Ehhh... Maybe we ordered the wrong things...or my palate wasn't too thrilled...thinking back, we had one of their savory crepes - the ratouielle and it really didn't have much flavor. We also ordered a frittata - which didn't taste like anything to me either... Plus - they're on the pricey side....next time, I'll have a dessert crepe... Till then, 2 stars for their endearing space.
(2)
Taryl M.
Stopped in for breakfast on a Friday morning and it was surprisingly busy! I thought about getting an orange juice but $5.50 for a small glass I decided to pass! I ordered the French toast on cinnamon raisen bread and it was delicious! It didn't come with any sides which was a bit of a bummer since personally I would have preferred a smaller portion with a side. Overall I really liked the vibe and character of the restaurant and would definitely return if back in Ann Arbor!
(4)
Saleem M.
Brunch was hit or miss for my table of 4. My friends' bloody marys took 15 minutes, and when my latte hadn't come by 20 minutes, it was explained to me that "espresso drinks sometimes take a bit of time." I would have appreciated the real response, "Oh I forgot to put it in, I'll get right on it". The food took forever, and two of my friends did not enjoy it at all. The restaurant is redeemed by a visit I made a week later for dinner, which was much more pleasant (if not expensive)
(3)
Ashley Z.
My husband and I went for brunch on a Sunday morning around 10:30am. He ordered a coffee and I ordered a decaf latte, both were wonderful and came quickly. We were really hungry and couldn't make up our minds right away so we decided to split a croissant ($3) while we kept reading the menu. It was a huge, delicious, almond croissant from a local bakery (The Croissant Shop). It was definitely a good idea to munch on while sipping our coffee and choosing our meal. He ended up getting the Savory Complete Crepe and I got the Kendrick's Favorite Crepe. I grew up eating very sweet crepes with strawberries, powdered sugar and the fix'ns but I really enjoyed this light crepe. I got a side of strawberries because I wasn't sure if it would've been too plain on it's own. It really didn't need the strawberries afterall. We were both starving and left full. In fact, I'd say that in the future, we could've gotten coffee, split a croissant and a single crepe dish and left satisfied. We really enjoyed sitting outside and our wait was only 10 minutes. (It was really busy). The only thing I'd change is that our waitress was not wearing very much clothing. That seemed kinda odd and distracting. Otherwise, great service and great food! We will be back!
(5)
Sutirtha B.
I was out here for dinner with 3 colleagues of mine from the university for dinner. I did not have a good experience at all at the restaurant though I will acknowledge that my fellow diners may have had a somewhat better experience than I had. What did not go well: A: Service: Not much to complain about, other than the fact that they took away our bread plates even when we were not done with having bread. All of my 3 colleagues ended up taking the bread and having it without a plate in front. That could have been better. And the other thing in terms of service which was a bummer was that we were on official business and our admin person had made reservations with the restaurant and had arranged to have it paid by P-card (the University of Michigan's payment system for vendors). And yet when one of us was about to sign the bill, the waitress came up and said that the P-card number wasn't correct. Knowing our admin person, it is unlikely that she had made a mistake and it is much more likely that the restaurant had not gotten it right. But finally the food itself. The portions were OK but it was my main entree which killed the whole thing for me. I had ordered scallops with spinach and there is just no other way to say it - the scallops were charred pretty bad. When I bit into the first one, I was quite surprised to see that it was charred but then as I took a second one, I realized that the same was true of it as well. And then for all of my remaining scallops, I tried to remove the portions which were charred and have the rest. Doesn't work so well, in case you didn't know. And so, I ended up having 6-8 scallops which were largely burnt. And what is worse is that not once, I kid you not, not once did the waitress come and ask us about the food. Places which charge half the price as Cafe Zola's will have people stop by at least once during your meal to ask you about your experience and sadly, they did not come by even once. If they had, I would have been tempted to return my plate - it was really that bad. Oh and the last thing - since I knew that I was going to this place for dinner and had planned on having the Lobster Ravioli that was listed on their online menu. Guess what, they don't serve the ravioli at all. Would have been good to know because in that event, I would have chosen a different restaurant such as Real Seafood Company. Very very disappointed overall with how things turned out at every step.
(1)
Robert C.
Tucked away on Washington Street, Cafe Zola is one of Ann Arbor's overlooked gems. The curved, stone bar at Cafe Zola is one of city's best places to eat or drink, allowing regulars to gather and guests to watch the comings and goings in this cozy space. Drinks are always made to perfection, and the selection includes a mix of classic cocktails and new inventions, such as the Midnight Manhattan (made with port instead of Vermouth). The service is consistently good, and the food matches in quality. Admittedly, I'll often skip the main dishes and go for a mix of starters, including: the Bruschetta Zola, the Stilton Salad, and the Blue Crab Cakes with Smoky Paprika Aioli and Citrus Chutney. To experience Ann Arbor's best french fries, order them "off menu" at Cafe Zola. They come with homemade ketchup and garlic mayo for dipping. The fries suit whatever you're ordering, whether it's an omelette, the Chimichuri Tango, or a Martini. Zola's biggest fault, admittedly, is the lack of new items to the menu. While consistency is appreciated, it would be nice to see some seasonal additions. Whether for drinks, dinner, or brunch, Cafe Zola is well worth the visit.
(5)
Irene L.
I've been here for brunch a few times, and the quality seems to vary depending on who's working and how busy the place is (usually quite busy when I go). When it's good.... it is GOOD. When it's an off day... it isn't horrible, but "I am paying HOW MUCH for this overcooked omelette?" tends to come up in my head a few times... Typically I am more into the umami/savory brunch, but the time I risked straying from my usual choices and got a waffle, I was not disappointed! It was light and fluffy on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside. Perfection!
(4)
Jaron O.
I enjoyed everything about this place, I'm just giving it 4 stars because I think it seemed a bit overpriced to me. I had an omelette that was really tasty, but no omelette should be $13 in my opinion (to be fair, most of them were $11 or $12, but that's still kinda steep, no?). Otherwise, friendly service, great food and beverages (bloody mary was killiin'), and a solid commitment to fresh organic ingredients has a big thumbs up from me. Plus I love a place that serves breakfast until 3pm :).
(4)
Dea A.
Settle down for breakfast with a savory buckwheat crepe and a French press filled with delicious coffee. Or do a delicious and extravagant Gabus waffle with chocolate sauce and a scoop of ice cream with a carafe of hot jasmine tea. The chef that started the restaurant specialized in breakfast and it shows. The batters are excellent. The waffles are as they should be, truly Belgian style, light and crispy. The crepes closely resemble the savory Galettes de sarrasin and the more Americanized dessert crepes.
(5)
Mark E.
Really nice food and very interesting menu, with good sandwich and salad options. Great tea and coffee options. For the most part, I heartily recommend Zola. The only thing I will say is that the acoustics of the main dining room are not conducive to conversation - extremely noisy when it is busy, which it usually is. Personal faves include the Kobe burger, the grilled chicken sandwich, the pomme frites (when not overdone, which occasionally they are.) My wife likes the Turkish eggs and the teas. I should note that I'm talking almost entirely about brunch/lunch as I've only eaten here for dinner once (I recall was quite good.)
(4)
Amy B.
I have been to Cafe Zola several times over the last several years. The tables are small and you may sit close to other diners, but that doesn't bother me and it seems quite European or cafe style to me. It's a popular place, but I have never had a long wait (I think it depends on what time of day/day of the week you go). The bathrooms are modern and clean and the paper towels are plush and fabulous! I am always glad to see a well maintained restroom at a restaurant. The service has always been fine - no problems. I haven't had any over the top fantastic service, but it hasn't been below average, either. I'd say the service was good, but I'm sorry to say that I don't really have high expectations for really, really great service in Ann Arbor. I never experienced it while I lived there or any time I've been back to visit. The coffees are really great. On our most recent visit my husband had a mocha and he said it was really good and he can be pretty particular about his specialty coffee. I had a soy decaf cappuccino and I'd give that on it's own 5 stars. It totally hit the spot and was a very well made coffee. Our water glasses were frequently refilled (very important to me and this makes me happy!). I had the Crepe Zola and it was very good with yummy mozzarella, tomato, basil, and topped with a small drizzle of creme fraiche. The crepe is a nice option because it's light and fresh, but also fills me up and doesn't leave me hungry or overly full. I've also had the salad with salmon a few times before and have always enjoyed that, too. My husband had a Kobe burger before and he recalled it being very tasty, but messy. This time he had the salmon omelet and I had a few bites and it had truly excellent flavor. I did not have to use salt or pepper on any of my food, and I am constantly reaching for the pepper, so I think it speaks to how well put together the menu options are and that they are properly seasoned. The bread and butter is really lovely, but I'm not sure how many patrons actually have room for the bread and butter, since the other items on the menu are really delicious and satisfying. One of our friends got the crab cake Benedict and it looked so great and she seemed to enjoy it very much. She also got grilled asparagus, which I tried and that was also very good - - asparagus exactly how it should be cooked! I love to visit Cafe Zola when I come back to Ann Arbor and it seems to be the place to meet old friends for brunch. Any time I know I'll be in Ann Arbor, Cafe Zola is the first place that comes to mind for a nice breakfast, brunch or lunch. Oh, and when the weather is nice, there is outdoor seating, which is fun.
(5)
Maya B.
LOVE this place. Food is delicious and fresh. Server was super knowledgable and friendly, drinks were amazing. Can't say enough good things - lots of healthy options - cannot wait for Zola Bistro to open!
(5)
Annalisa B.
Few things in life are better than a relaxing summer patio zolas brunch. The omlettes are divine, but the best part is not just the French press coffee, but the soy chai. Unlike any other I have ever had. Just brilliant.
(5)
Shon C.
This is a little weird for me. I actually really like this place and go pretty often, but I can't bring myself to to give it 4 stars. I would say Zola fits in the 3.5 range. Here's the deal: Zola has great brunch, if you can afford it. That's the primary problem, it's very expensive. Sure, I appreciate fresh-squeezed orange juice and quality champagne in my Mimosa, but I'm not sure I want to pay $8 for it. Similarly, I love the smoked salmon crepe, but $12.95? Come on. Again, quality smoked salmon, crepe is always beautiful, great texture and flavor, but perhaps still a bit over-priced. I've noticed a lot of posts discuss the service; I actually haven't found it to be all that bad. They may not be as fast to fill your coffee as Northside (see my review, love Northside!), but when it arrives the coffee is great. Nobody has been overtly rude to me, and I'm generally seated pretty quickly when it's not busy. They tend not to seat parties until everyone is present, which has been a problem for me more than once. But I got over it with some Turkish Eggs, so no biggie. Pros: Yummy Turkish Eggs, Crepes, drinks, coffee, great ambiance, lively crowd, awesome location in downtown Ann Arbor Cons: Expensive, average service, usually a decent wait for weekend brunch
(3)
Monika S.
Great food. Attentive staff. They recognize their steady customers.
(5)
Charles J.
Such a yummy lunch spot! I've only ever had the dinner (also succulent) and finally had time to come in for lunch. I had the Summer in Provence salad with the most delicious vinaigrette I've ever had! The combination of goat cheese, roasted red peppers and mushrooms on a salad is superb. I also had a mojito that was perfectly minty and refreshing. My date had the crepe Zola and it was the perfect pairing of tomatos and mozzerella and light fluffy crepe - if you're in Ann Arbor, you have to try this place, it's definitely one of the best!
(5)
Bernadette C.
Great place for brunch. I tried the crepes, which was made quite well, tasty, and healthy. I appreciate that they didn't add gallons of oil and butter into their crepe batter. While the bf and I didn't order too many things off the menu that day, I did appreciate the coffee. It's hard to get good coffee in Ann Arbor (trust me!!) and this place was reminiscent of the coffee shops back in Berkeley. Next time I'm going to try their Turkish delight - it's a plate of eggs with cheese, olives, tomatoes, and problem some other random veggies. Whatever it has in it, it looked GREAT when the people next to us ordered it, and the plate was huge! I was also pleasantly surprised by the style and decor of the cafe. It has a very relaxed feel. Homey, but trendy at the same time. It's gets busy as the brunch hours go by, so I suggest getting there a little earlier (that's like 11 for me =P) One negative note, though, is if you go, wear casual clothes. The smell of the food really sticks to whatever you're wearing. So if you're thinking about the super nice jacket you bought for $$$, don't bring it into the restaurant!
(4)
Anabelle O.
My absolute favorite restaurant and I'm from LA. The goat cheese adriatica and Emile's arugula salad are both so delicious and my bf loves the burger. Also a perfect brunch spot. Love love love!!
(5)
Jonas L.
Zola, I'm bored with you. Tonight, I was going to go out for a special meal. You have been my usual choice, for both brunch and dinner. But I want something new. Yes, the brunch is great. The omelette duxelles you have is absolutely delicious (but people who are conscientious of animal rights should be aware that it's made with veal stock). Your coffee is among the best in town. And that homemade ketchup is damn good. By the way, when I say I want my omelette not so well done, I mean that I want the inside to be runny, even if that gives me salmonella. Yes, the dinner is solid. Your non-red-meat-dishes are so-so. But the lamb and steak entrees make murder so tasty. However, you really should train your staff better. Once, your server recommended me a Sauvignon Blanc that she has never tasted, and it was ehhh. Next time, I'm calling the owner/sommelier over. Even though I say these nice things about you, deep down inside, I think we're done. Not like done-done, forever, but you won't be my go-to place anymore. I've experienced nearly everything on the dish, and in all these years, you've not come up with one new thing. Sorry, I need something new, something adventurous, something different. We can still hook up every now and then for brunch, but that's about it.
(4)
Debbie H.
When did Zola earn the 5-star rating from Deb and I? How soon after I tasted the smoked salmon omelette did the stars begin adding up? Was it just a single bite after tasting the fluffy, perfectly cooked egg, the fresh salmon, the palate-satisfying mustard sauce or the seasoned potatoes that we were seeing stars? Maybe it was only after trying Deb's strawberry and banana waffle with real whipped cream (and realizing a one-bite "I'll just try it" promise was going to border on impossible) that the rating climbed. Could've been the terrific lemonade and tea ... Or the outstanding, cheerful service (Katrina) ... Or, or actually who cares? I guess all that matters is that everything that goes into a place earning five stars, Zola accomplished in short order. We were heading to the hospital at UofM for a less-than-pleasant morning and afternoon but Zola helped get us off on the right foot with a more-than-pleasant breakfast. We'll be back.
(5)
O L.
For any weekend brunch, this place is packed and busy. I expected a wait when I arrived since there were so many people outside, but my friend and I actually got seated right away. There was a slight sense of guilt, but that quickly passed once I got my coffee. The restaurant can get loud and tight with so many customers, but as soon as the food arrives, nothing else matters. I ordered an omelette that was solid and tasty, but I want to rave about the waffles since I was pretty much taking generous bites from my friend's plate. The waffles here are absolutely amazing. I've tried many waffles and nothing comes close to Zola's. The light cake-like texture balances perfectly with the crisp crystallized sweetness of the shell. Every bite was light and refreshing and has you going back for more. It's so good, it's sinful!
(5)
mariah c.
Mmmmm.... giant waffles! Ok, ok, I know Zola serves things other than waffles and crepes (see Dharma's review), but those are the items that first got me hooked on this place, and those are the reasons why I return. One of these days I'll branch out and get a salad. Today I *tried* to order a sandwich, but they were out of the ingredients. But hey, I think that was just fate urging me to stick with what I know. And I know I love big, fluffy waffles with tasty spiced fruit. I also know I can't ever finish a whole portion (the same rule is generally true for the crepes). A new summer favorite: Turkish lemonade -- with a twist of lime and fresh mint, it's even more refreshing than my regular summer standby. It's worth noting that they don't always take reservations, but will do a brunch reservation for a party of 6 or more.
(4)
Christine E.
My waffle with Michigan maple syrup, strawberries and sweetened whipped cream tasted like sunshine - so light, so fluffy, just the perfect amount of sweetness. Swear to God that was hands down the best waffle I've ever had. The tea comes in this cool pot that presses down the loose tea leaves when you want to pour. Very nice Earl Grey. My mom got an omelet with goat cheese, potatoes and some other stuff that was good, but not as good as my waffle. Staff was incredibly charming. Expensive? You betcha. Delicious? Absolutely!
(5)
Naren A.
This place is awesome! Love their bread and herb butter.. I had the vegetarian omelette duxelles, it was mushroom, mushroom and more mushroom, would have like something else as well, hence cut a star...:D we also had the black forest waffle and it was a stunner! The best part of my meal was the roasted pink potatoes that came with the omelette, they were out of the world... We also ordered half a pot of Chai, came in a french press with all the spices floating on top!!! Good service, Sunday morning at 11 am had a wait of 5 mins, awesome...
(4)
Julie J.
Huh. Zola, I think I caught you on a bad day. Some background: I ate at Cafe Zola for the first time last week during a Holiday brunch with co-workers. There were eight of us in total, so I think it's safe to say we were a relatively large party (which is always more challenging for everyone involved). A reservation was made at least one month in advance, if not longer. Three of my co-workers and I arrived before the rest of our party. When we gave our name, we were told that we wouldn't be seated until all of our party had arrived. We had no choice (given that it was well below freezing outside) but to crowd into the small entryway to the restaurant while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. This was less than ideal for everyone because we were blocking the entrance for other patrons and inhibiting the waitstaff. Even after our additional people arrived (and the entryway became even more crowded), we continued to wait for a few minutes longer as the table was cleared. When we were finally seated, the table was clearly too small to accommodate all of us. After one of my co-workers complained, the staff quickly added another table, which helped free up some room. Even with the additional table, however, I had very little elbow room and I wasn't comfortable. The food was good. I had the open faced artichoke omelette and enjoyed it. The coffee was brewed well and I was amused by the refill containers (pretty sure you can see them in the pictures section above.) Their waffles look truly decadent. I wasn't ready for one at 2:00 on a weekday afternoon but maybe when out-of-town company visits, we can try them. I don't recommend Cafe Zola for parties larger than six people. The restaurant is physically not large enough to accommodate large groups. But I believe it has potential to be a pleasant place to have a leisurely brunch. I'll have to come back in a smaller group and try again. Although the experience was not perfect, I give the dining staff credit for doing their best to accommodate our large party. When we complained, they acted quickly to re-arrange things.
(3)
Rebecca W.
Andrea B. recommends making Cafe Zola a serendipitous part of a weekday afternoon....this is precisely what SK and I did, and it worked maaaaaaarvelously. From the outside it looked a bit crowded--lots of people milling around, though it turned out some of them were just walking down the sidewalk (out of our way, pedestrians! We are hungry!). We perused the menu briefly and ducked inside--and found no wait for a party of two! It must be said, however, that the table was veery tiny, veeery right inside the door, and veeery close to the party of two next to us. Like, in moments of comfortable silence at our table, we we were basically audience to the conversation at theirs. The. Food. Was. Ridiculous. SK had the Southwest omelet with sausage--sour cream, some kind of cheese (?), and a green chili sauce that he really liked. He proclaimed the omelets "sturdy," which he meant as a compliment--they were also sufficiently fluffy. Though tempted by all the mushroomy delights (next time?), I wanted to have something really different (at least for me) and went with the Frittata Zola: an open-face omelet with carmelized onions, sweet potato cubes, goat cheese, and fluffy challah croutons. Oh. So. Good. The flavors, which had me curious but wary, blended in strange and magical ways. Another reviewer has said that she found the sweet potatoes inedibly undercooked. Mine were cooked all the way through--no crunchiness--but still very firm and bright. For the first few bites I feared that they'd be raw (and this was before I read the other review) but I grew to trust the frittata and soon relaxed. It really hit me as I was chewing my last bite that there was basically nothing "on" any of the ingredients. Egg. Onions. Sweet Potatoes. Goat cheese. An absolute minimum of sauces and spices--which made me respect the frittata all the more. On the other end of the secret herbs and spices spectrum were the roasted rosemary potatoes (which come with the three-egg omelets--v. generous portions!). Every time I turned to my taters, the first bite was unbelievable. By bite three, though, I'd be getting thirsty--they were a tad on the salty side, but still delicious and cooked perfectly. SK and I were wary of the cool, crunchy centers and mushy outsides common with such large chunks of potato. No such thing! Wonderful, consistent texture. At other tables we saw fries served in what looked like a milkshake cup (the metal kind), martinis served tableside from little shakers, and French press coffees and teas. My own coffee refill was delivered by our very nice, not aloof server (though she did disappear right when we wanted our bill) in a cute little glass carafe. It was pricier than we usually look for in a breakfast, but not unreasonable for the quantity and quality you get. This was one of the best brunches I've ever had. My only complaint is the coffee--$3.50 for regular brewed coffee? I mean, I know it's fair trade and organic and "free refills" (that's not assumed?), but still. Had I known the price ahead of time (I tend to order coffee as I sit down, not after perusing the menu) I would have gone with a cappuccino or similar--they were less than fifty cents more. Momometer: my mom would LOVE this place. If she ever comes to visit on her own or with a girlfriend, we're going. I didn't try the famous Turkish Brunch because I don't really do olives (or hard-boiled eggs for that matter). But she does both, and more, and would love it. Popometer: Sadly, this place would be totally wasted on my dad. He is a pancakes, sausage links, and maple syrup man and despite the famed waffles, I think he would find this place an expensive way to miss the point of brunch. Not to mention that it is REALLY LOUD AND CLANGY INSIDE AND YOU HAVE TO TALK LIKE THIS! He wouldn't be able to hear a damn thing, and would be annoyed by that as well. The experience would be redeemable for him if we sat outside, maybe, but I still wouldn't invest in a Zola brunch for dad. More frittata for me.
(4)
Evan M.
If you want to eat breakfast/brunch at Cafe Zola especially on a Saturday or Sunday, then be ready to wait at least 30 minutes for a table because it's jam-packed. The hostess was in control, but the three other waiters who kept "playing" hostess made it frustrating for us customers who were waiting for a table because of all the confusion it caused. Not to mention, there is no real waiting area for customers, so we were packed in the front doorway like sardines and on top of other customers who were trying to enjoy their meals. This cafe is cute. It reminds me of a few small restaurants in Manhattan I have eaten in with high ceilings and exposed brick interior. However, it's a little too cozy, as tables are about a 1/2 inch from each other. On the positive, the food is great. I ordered the Farmhouse omelet, which was amazing, they have a fully stocked bar, the Bloody Mary's are fantastic (if you enjoy a good Bloody then you know how hard it is to find restaurants or bars that can actually make them right), and the large coffee mugs are also a winner because you don't have to keep asking your waiter to fill you up every 3 minutes. Overall, I would endure the breakfast/brunch crowd again, because at the end of the day we all just want great food and service, which Cafe Zola provide once you finally get a table. If your travels ever bring you to Ann Arbor, MI home of University of Michigan, then I recommend this hidden gem.
(4)
Kent H.
A few weeks ago me the mrs. and stella went to visit my alma mater and a very good friend who, like us, recently had a baby decided to have brunch at Cafe Zola. The only reason why I mention everybody is because the place was packed and we were warned that they might not have two high chairs for the lil ones. So we waited. When we were seated they found two high chairs and we ordered a few bloody mary's. Whoa. SPICY. My wife ordered an omelette, my friend ordered the salmon hash, which looked really freakin' good, and my friend's wife ordered something that got lost in the mix and so we all got served while she had to wait. This is the only reason why I am giving 4 stars and not 5. I ordered huevos rancheros with chorizo sausage and let me tell you it was the best huevos ranchero I've ever had! There was so much of it I couldn't finish, but I really really wanted to. I think Stella liked it too as I periodically fed her some egg that wasn't exposed to anything else. She chomped like a champ, which leads me to believe she picked up my nuanced taste buds! All in all the decor is great, the food better, and the service worse. I hope to be back 5 years later at a U of M football game in hopes to be reunited with the HR.
(4)
Will K.
I like Cafe Zola. I went for dinner with a group of my coworkers after a long day at work. But everyone seems to be reviewing Cafe Zola for brunch. This place reminded me of home in Northern California. It doesn't feel like Ann Arbor at all. It's a quaintly decorated cafe with attentive staff. With that being said, the food was solid, but overpriced. I'm not quite sure why so many places in Ann Arbor think they can charge NY and SF prices, because their rent surely isn't as high. I had a lemon pasta as my main dish and the Stilton salad to start. The salad was amazing but the pasta was just okay. I have to admit -- $20 for pasta with no protein is outrageous. I asked for some chicken in it and it was another $7.
(4)
Evelyn T.
A good place to go. I was apprehensive at first when I saw how crowded it was but we did have reservations and I had heard good things about Cafe Zola. I tried the argentine style steak with chimichurri with potatoes and it was tasty. I ordered it medium rare and it was done to my satisfaction. The chimichurri sauce on the side is really good and goes very well with the steak. I thought the servers were nice. Everybody in our party left the restaurant content.
(4)
C.J. W.
Magically delicious! Cafe Zola presents a breakfast excursion parallel to no other. From the unrivaled freshly brewed iced tea (which varies from tropical flavors to natural green teas), to their Southwestern Omelette which exemplifies the perfect blend of spices, cream, peppers, tomatoes and wondrous textures. (By the way... add every single ingredient possible from Havarti to Chorizo. It makes every bite worth living!) If you're in the mood for a richly flavored omelette, try the Duxelles. The wild porcini mushroom sauce is incredible! Last but not least, if there ever was a sandwich for you to devour, it would be their grilled ham and havarti cheese sandwich. Perfectly flavored, truly rewarding! Cafe Zola is the ultimate treat for the breakfast connoisseur and while I've experienced nearly every A2 breakfast menagerie from Angelo's to Broken Egg, Cafe Marie's to Gandy Dancer brunch... nothing truly compares to Cafe Zola.
(5)
Emma L.
Not understanding the hype about this place. Yes the atmosphere was fun, but everything else was mediocre. I had to practically jump up and down to get the hostess to even look up at me (She didn't even respond when I said "Hi"). Our server was friendly, but the food was very overpriced. I got the crab cake benedict, which ended up being a crab cake on top of half of an english muffin, and then a fried egg on top of the other half. There was supposedly some sort of lemon sauce on top, which I couldn't taste. For $16 this should at least come with potatoes or another side. I didn't think it was anything special and was still hungry when we left. The drinks we had were great, but again slightly overpriced. Would not go back.
(2)
Annie A.
What a wonderful way to spend a morning. Cafe Zola started out by making crepes, so it's no surprise that they are delectable. I ordered a smoked salmon crepe which was incredibley flavorful, yet light enough for me to still feel energized for the day. The french press coffee didn't hurt either. Pets seem to be very welcome with outdoor seating and the servers even bring out little bowls of iced water for them! Parking may be a little bit of an obstacle, but it will be worth the walk if you have to go a few block to find a spot.
(4)
A H.
I really love their chimichurri hanger steak and the fries! I've also had the ravioli and the tuna, both equally good. Definitely get a martini, they give you the small shaker to refill your glass. Probably get around 2.5 martinis out of it. They had a lemon tart one weekend that was amazing, but we usually get the chambord cheesecake. Love sitting outside during the summer, great people watching. Not really a fan of the espresso though, it turns out rather syrupy.
(5)
CUNIT T.
Great creeps and brunch on the weekends!
(4)
Sandy M.
I really like this restaurants very much. Had lunch there today excellent food and service. Has anyone noticed that there are no male employees. Strange.
(4)
Anne M.
Authentic, European fare. Fabulous!
(5)
n. g.
Brunch/lunch is delicious. The omelettes, smoothies and sandwiches are all excellent. Most importantly, the menu is huge! Dinner is less impressive. Everything looks so good when it is described on the menu, but much of the food is bland or just a little off. The mushroom pasta is bland and the lemon sauce on the lemon tagliatelle tastes like lemon yogurt (and not in a good way). There are some gems, though - the fries are terrific, as is the bread and the salmon burger. Worth a try, I think, but not worth coming back to very often.
(3)
star l.
Funny to see this restaurant categorized in Turkish--after an Saturday evening meal I don't recall many turkish things on the menu! However, what was offered was like dreaming of one flavour to another. They lean slightly heavier on the fish options than meat, but if your interest is flavour, the menu is literally one of those experiences that makes it tough to choose but plan to come back.
(4)
Francis U.
Very good breakfast/brunch and crepes. Highly recommended for breakfast. I've been there twice now and had crepes both times. Also had the farmhouse and mexican omelet (my dining partner and I would share). Mexican omelet was was very good, but you gotta like Chorizo. Farmhouse was so-so -- too many vegetables. But you can't go wrong with crepes.
(4)
Jessica E.
A friend commented this morning, "There are places in Ann Arbor that are good brunch fare, for Ann Arbor. But Zola is good brunch fare, period." As a frequent brunch-goer in America's brunch capital (New York, no?), I have to heartily agree. From the slow but attentive service to the innovative menu (forget about everything being drenched in Hollandaise, because that's not how Zola rolls), I couldn't imagine a better spot on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Yes, the prices are a bit high, and sometimes there's a wait, but ten times out of ten, I think it's worth it. This particular morning, we enjoyed an outdoor table and started with coffee and cocktails. My mimosa was strongly spiked and fresh. Foodstuffs ordered included the Frittata Zola, an open omelette with soft goat cheese and caramelized onions and a side of red-skinned potatoes with rosemary, as well as the the Turkish brunch, a huge offering of vegetables, Havarti cheese, and a basket of breads and muffins. We ordered a banana and Nutella crepe for the table, as well, which came with the most rich ice cream on top. Everything was fresh, delicious, and served in generous quantities. We took a fair amount of food home with us. Look, there are plenty of brunch options in Ann Arbor. But if you're looking for a little foodie escapism, go to Zola.
(5)
Andrew L.
I decided to eat here after reading all of the great reviews. When we arrived it was crowded, but that's usually a good sign. The food was only ok. I had the crepes and they were mediocre at best. I don't really understand why people are always so impressed with crepes, they're not that hard to make so they should always be great. I would visit again and try the waffles (they looked really, at least the lady in the table next to us was thoroughly enjoying her's). Staff was fast and friendly.
(3)
Sara G.
My Zola love mainly spins on the "brunch" axis, but I have enjoyed a dinner there lately, so let me divide this review into two parts. 1. **Brunch** The coffee is always dark and strong. The frittatas and omelettes bursting, the crepes perfect (at least mine always seem to be), the potatoes crisp and herbaceous. I never leave this place hungry. In fact, you could share a dish and still come away stuffed to the gills. One of my favorite things to do in warm weather Ann Arbor is to enjoy a right Zola brunch outside with friends. Keep the coffee pouring! 2. **Dinner** Honestly, first time I had dinner here I was less than impressed with my three "jumbo" scallops and bowl full of artfully mixed baby greens. However, this was after Zola first began serving dinner. I came here a few weeks ago with a large group and it was pretty marvelous. My meat was rare (yes I asked for it like that) and the fries coated with lots of parmesan. Next time I go I may order the paper-wrapped fish, which looked awesome and not too well done. You have to enjoy eating fish off the bone, otherwise don't bother. They have nice mixed drink offerings and a good wine menu. Excellent espresso martini! Not sure most people know that Zola was at first a cafe' that offered lunch and brunch items before they expanded into dinners. In the Zola brunch vs. dinner deathmatch, brunch is the winna! ONE IMPORTANT THING: if you make a reservation, make sure that you confirm it before showing up to the restaurant, and get the name of the server you confirmed with. There's a tendency to be a tad unorganized when it comes to reservations.
(4)
Andrea M.
BEST BRUNCH IN ANN ARBOR...can I get a "wOOt wOOt"... I have to say, and I really do not mean to seem cliche, (no, I will not break into song) that Cafe Zola has the best brunch in town. Order the Turkish brunch and you will never be disappointed; that IS their specialty. That brunch is my sweet escape. It's almost like a mini-spa moment in a brunch. Add a mimosa to drink and that tops it off. THE CHEAP SEATS I had to give Zola 4 stars due to the somewhat crowded & very busy atmosphere and the mistakes that seem to happen on our orders when we go there. Certainly, any mistakes are minor and get fixed, but it seems to be a theme. Worst thing that ever happened was when we were sat behind the curtain thing, next to the bar, when you walk in the door. Horrible! There should not be seating there, it's wretched. I will never sit there again and I know how much it messes up a restaurant to ask for another seat, but that's their own fault. Note to Zola, get rid of those "cheap seats" and extend the bar around the corner instead. Or, just stick to 1 more widow table there. SNOOTY GATEKEEPERS BE DAMNED Ignore any icy hostesses, as most of them are snooty, but you get the occasional nice one. Who cares, she is just giving you a seat, the end. Ignore her snoot and move on. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE They have an extensive brunch and breakfast menu that will please just about everyone, so don't be shy that it seems to be known for Turkish brunch. They've got regular omlettes and other things to please. I am just biased since I loooooove the Turkish brunch. AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE I think Zola is best a spur-of-the-moment choice. If you drive or walk by and see it has a short lull in the amount of people, run in then. I know, it sounds crazy, but that will avoid you missing out on a great brunch. Go on a whim at an odd time and you'll enjoy it more. Go for the latest brunch you can do on a weekday (if you can) and enjoy it instead of hating it for the crowds. OVERALL Turkish brunch + mimosa = very happy. :)
(4)
angela p.
If this review were solely about the vibe, I would give it one star. This place represents nearly everything I despise about Ann Arbor: semi-rude waitstaff; yuppie/professor-heavy clientele; high prices; pretentiousness dripping from the very brick of the walls. HOWEVER. The crepes are damn good. The smoothies are yum. They know how to cook an egg. The coffee makes me forgive them every time. Sigh. I'm such a fucking pushover.
(3)
Lily P.
Cafe Zola is my favorite restaurant on campus! It has a great breakfast selection which is pricey relative to broken egg, angelos, and etc but the portions are huge and you probably won't be able to finish the omelet by yourself. Ive had the Farmhouse Omelette a few times.. (ham and Vermont cheddar with sauted onions, green & red peppers, tomatoes and garlic.) The chopped up potatoes and sides that come with breakfast are amazing and distracted me enough that I didn't finish my breakfast. I'm a egg, waffle, omelette person but they also have sandwiches for adults and KIDS on the menu for breakfast. I'm not sure if I ever will get one since the breakfast is so good and they give you so much there is no room for more food. They have the crepes they have for dinner as dessert but also have some other breakfast ones. I could careless to have a salad for breakfast no matter how amazing they look...eggs are meant to be eaten in the morning and the amazing rabbit diet food is for later on. With your food you can get different types of teas, coffes, fresh juices (orange and carrot), yummy smoothies!, french sodas Only issue with breakfast is that its a popular place and you might need to wait and don't go with a big group since you never will get seated anytime soon. For dinner they have a good wine selection and I love getting tuna there. The tuna burger also is a pretty good choice if you have a younger party there since it comes with thin fries and is less expensive. The ketchup is great and you def need to try it. The drink menu and bar is good with fast service. Appeitizers are unlike other mainstreet restuarants where there is basically no food, they def tell you what everyone is, gives you recommendations and then bring out more food then you expected. Ive had the mussels (good by any means even though the place isn't known for seafood unlike real seafood co and the commons), bruschetta is standard, and note to self to try more food. For the other meals make sure you ask about what exactly they are serving since one of my friends ordered a meal that sounded like there was tomatoes in it..but it came out with some meat in the middle of an entire tomato dish. I've had the whole fish there a few times and its always cooked pretty well. The steak is standard better than pac rim..not as good at chophouse...not a big fan of the chicken (entire chicken) dish. Ahi Tuna is good here..its not remarkable but good portion, all the fish here are cooked the way you should be eating the fish, sugar snap peas done in a lovely manner and are not mushy by any means. They always have some special going on so we never order often from the menu for the dinner suggestions unless I'm going for a burger or Filet Mignon (with damn good mushrooms). The crepes are huge and you definitely want to share with someone while the rest of the desserts are basically normal portions. The coffee drinks are great and a wonderful way to end your meal. The dessert drinks may look girly but it makes grown men suck up the judging by unknown foodies and order them anyways. They are pretty good with their coffee art too.
(4)
Michelle C.
Great restaurant, a must! I went here for my first date and went back again after our 1-year anniversary. The food, ambiance, service, and menu is alllll wonderful! I have been here twice for dinner and the dishes we had are amazing and of top quality. My favorite thing about Cafe Zola is the unique twist they put on dishes that you do not see too much at other conservative restaurants in Michigan. From the capers in the bread spread (no plain butter here!) to the coconut-cilantro rice, it is all neat to taste and experience. I would recommend the Ahi Tuna and the Chimichurri Tango. They are delicious to say the least. I also tried a Salmon-Stuffed Ravioli which wasn't that great, there are definitely better alternatives. A must-try! I plan on trying this place out for breakfast/brunch soon
(5)
Kate B.
'Zola is the place to go for brunch in Ann Arbor. It's a rather loud, boisterous interior (so if you're hard-of-hearing it can be trying) but the service is good and the breakfast/brunch food is a nice treat. I've had most of their omlettes (the southwest is delish...get it with Chorizo and spoon on a bit of sourcream...yum), sandwiches, and crepes over the years since they've opened, and never had a bad meal (see caveat at end of brunch review). I occasionally get the Turkish Brunch special: plate of grape-leaves, cheeses, olives, tomato, cucumber, and a basket of breads, sweet roll with butter and preserves (also comes with coffee or tea.) It's fun to make wee sandwiches on buttered bread using the tomato, cukes, and cheeses. Moms and Auntys love being taken to Zola...or so I hear :O) Caveat: I've dined at Zola for dinner 3 times...each time it was quite inedible, the pastas were particularly vile (esp. the wild mushroom pasta): sticky/heavy sauces, overdone pasta, salty and bland at the same time. lambchops were overdone, also tasted mentholated due to too much mint. The appetizers (antipasto plate especially) and drinks were good, but the entrees were blah + expensive.
(4)
Melody B.
I rarely eat out in Ann Arbor, and I'm glad I got to try Cafe Zola. The high point is the food. Interesting menu, with a lot of delicious combinations and ideas. I ordered Heidi's Breakfast, which was a glorified bagel sandwich with eggs, shredded sweet potatoes, chives, asparagus, cheese and more. It was extremely tasty. The atmosphere is nice, kind of bustling, and crowded but not uncomfortable. The food and speciality beverages are expensive. I'm not sure where they get their ingredients, but for what they charge I expect that they are local and fresh as hell. I'm tempted to say it's overpriced. The service was on the slow side and the servers were kind of aloof.
(4)
Liz L.
I just had brunch at Cafe Zola for the first time this morning. It was delicious! Very busy in the restaurant and it can get quite crowded, but once we were seated we had excellent service and the food was phenomenal. The ingredients are fresh and it was great to have breakfast that wasn't overly greasy. It's a little more expensive than typical breakfast/brunch, but the portion sizes are huge and it's definitely worth the extra couple bucks.
(4)
Rugen R.
The food here was AMAZING. Like other places, be prepared for a long wait if you don't go there early enough.
(5)
Andrew W.
Very good brunch. Uses local products, including zingermans, naturally. Try the smoked salmon, Turkish eggs, other specialties. Comfortable restaurant. Service could use a little work.
(4)
Derek C.
I had breakfast here with a few friends on a Sunday morning. It was very crowded, I recommend getting there early if you don't want to wait. One of the things I was most impressed with was their tea and coffee selections. We opted to go for a french press of some Costa Rican coffee, it was very good. I had the farmhouse omelette which came with some amazing potatoes. Overall it was fantastic dish and rather large. The atmosphere and service were both relaxed. We didn't feel rushed at all and were able to take our time. Definitely recommend this place to be added to the breakfast staples of Ann Arbor.
(4)
Chad C.
Pretty good food, but not so consistently good service. Some servers seem a little depressed. Or maybe that's the "we're a serious food establishment" attitude. If they had absolutely outstanding food to back it up, then maybe they could get away with it. Omelets often can be dry. Simple, but classy ambiance, and the french press coffee is a plus!
(3)
Jen S.
Came here for brunch and almost orgasmed over the latte! I am a coffee addict so all versions of coffee are really important to me. It was seriously the best latte I've had since Paris! It was so good. The 3 stars are really just for the latte. Brunch was eh to me -- but I think next time I'll have to try something else because everyone else on here has given it really great reviews. Also, I thought the food was overpriced.
(3)
Anthony V.
My wife and I love this place! Creative dishes with a Mediterranean flare. I've never had a bad meal or experience here. It's a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for.
(5)
Lexy B.
I will jump through hoops of flame to eat Cafe Zola's Turkish egg breakfast. It's a fresh and flavorful array of feta, spinach, cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes that is simply delicious. Sometimes you can't beat honest and fresh food. Try the Russian Caravan tea if you can too. It tastes really strong and smokey, I feel like I'm sipping wood. This may sound gross, but I assure you, It's fantastic. The big downside to this place is the noise! This place is LOUD. Eat outside if you can! It gets busy fast, and everyone is packed together in way too small of a space. The atmosphere will probably cause you to have a flashback to your elementary school cafeteria. Except with much better food.
(4)
Ashley B.
Yes, it's delicious. Worth the wait to get seated, the slow staff and the likelihood of being surrounded by the who's who of Ann Arbor pretension and wannabe hipsters? Sometimes.
(3)
Sheyla C.
I like Zola. I've been here 3 times; brunch, meal and drinks. I prefer this place for drinks and crepes, than for a good meal. My husband found one of his fav's beers here: Pirate! and I had one my favorite cocktails: Bellini! Service and ambiance are okay, is not a lounge.....is a pretty not fancy restaurant/cafe.
(3)
Leanna G.
The ambiance is fantastic and it's a lovely place to sit with a friend over drinks and a long quiet dinner. Their cocktails list looks positively exceptional, especially for someone like me who prefers flavorful drinks that aren't martinis. I had the wild mushroom pasta and it was positively delicious. The only quibble I have with this place is that it seemed overpriced for what you get. The food is indeed excellent, but the mushroom pasta wasn't $23 excellent, and the kir royale wasn't $8 excellent. Also, who are the people that think Cafe Zola is a $$ restaurant rather than a $$$ restaurant? I was a little unpleasantly surprised by the price tag when I showed up!
(4)
Prima B.
Lemon Tagliarini was excellent. I will definitely eat here again!
(5)
Dawn N.
Wow! What a little gem of a place. We drove out on Parents Weekend unknowingly and arrived without reservations. Before we were turned away the lovely staff made arrangements (with a time limit) so that we could enjoy a fantastic dinner with good friends. I had the sea bass on special with cous cous and honey covered carrots. My husband had a steak dish. Both unique, delicious, and equally good. The owner came by to greet our friends (who are regulars of sorts) and we had just a most enjoyable evening. What I liked about Cafe Zola is the mix of sophistication and casualness. Anyone could walk in and feel comfortable, because honestly...its about the food.
(4)
S F.
I would almost give Zola five starts, but I haven't had enough dishes to rate them a perfect score. The food I've had has been wonderful. The hamburger (and fries) are one of my top five gourmet burgers ever. The half chicken was cooked perfectly the four times I've ordered it. So far, every dish I've had from this establishment has been right on. Very crowded, but worth the wait, except for the one time they kept us waiting for more than an hour . . . after seating us. If the wait is too long, be sure to check out Zingerman's.
(4)
KJ H.
great for any occasion. for brunch: the best free bread i've had ANYwhere. it's from zingerman's, but somehow, it tastes better when you're sitting at cafe zola. i swear. there's a difference. i love the open-faced omelets. you can see exactly what you're eating, and that makes it even more delicious. waffles with strawberry butter! for dinner: no specific recommendations, but it's good all around. great place for a date -- nice but not TOO nice, so it's affordable without being cheap.
(4)
CrapulentMoose ..
Zola is my must-do breakfast spot in Ann Arbor. Any one of the many different sections of the menu would be enough to bring me back, but add them all together and you've got perfection. One of my favorites is the Turkish Brunch. It comes with a selection of cheeses, breads, olives, egg, tomato slices, cucumber, raspberry preserves, a sweet pastry, and half a french press of tea or coffee. I highly recommend the masala chai, as it's the real deal (aka NOT from concentrate) and comes with a small bottle of warmed milk or soy milk and a little pitcher of honey. But, if that's not your bag, get anything else and it will be great too. Anyone who doesn't like the food at this place is a McNugget-Head.
(5)
Michelle D.
I've eaten here a few times and each time has been pretty good, but, and this is par for the course with restaurants in this area, Cafe Zola isn't as great as people make it out to be. Cafe Zola looks and feels like a cute bistro you'd find in San Francisco or New York, serves "seasonal" dishes and charges a fairly significant amount ($13 for an omelette) however their dishes don't quite measure up to what their menu promises. Last week I ordered an artichoke omelette and what I received was an overcooked frittata with frozen vegetables covered with melted cheese. Not exactly gourmet. If you're going to make seasonal dishes, use seasonal ingredients, not ones you have to buy frozen. So, if you're in downtown Ann Arbor for brunch Zola is probably the best way to go, but keep your expectations low. You're definitely not getting what you're paying for.
(3)
Ash B.
I just learned about this last weekend when I was in Ann Arbor for a grand total of 3 days (4 nights). I went to Cafe Zola 3 out of the 3 days. I don't do stuff like that under normal circumstances, but the waffles were wonderful, macchiato magnificent, and omelets exquisite. (I can't think of an O word meaning "amazing" right now) If you go, eat the SNOWFLAKE WAFFLES. Would go back again in a jiffy.
(5)
C L.
Near perfect. I took my parents to this charming and bustling place on a Sunday when they were visiting from out of town. They serve mostly omelettes, crepes and waffles. I would avoid anything that sounds like an odd pairing (the ratatouille crepe I had falls in this group) but most regular brunch fare looked delicious. My parents had the salmon hash and the salmon omelette, both were great in terms of flavor and presentation. The waitress was also spectacularly patient and friendly. The one thing they can improve on is wait time - it looks like servers were getting confused with orders, and this could be because of how busy it got. Other than that - this is my new go-to brunch place whenever people visit.
(4)
Christie M.
I've been here several times already but today was very very bad. Started off with a super rude hostess. My husband went in to get a table for us and I waited outside with baby in stroller. Hostess seated the couple in front of us and then ignore my husband and seated group that came in behind. If my husband didn't speak up I think she would have continue to pass us up. I always get the same thing here. Their strawberry and banana waffles were my favorite. Today my waffle was flat and had holes. One smoosh with my fork and it looks like crepes. Sad. Very sad. Cafe Zola has always been the first place I hit up when heading to Ann Arbor. Now I'm lost and don't know where to go. By the way....we waited a bit long for food. Why bring out bread after our meal I have no clue. But my 1 yr old would have appreciated if the bread was out same time with drinks. They get 3 stars just because I'm hoping today was a fluke.
(3)
Erin G.
I love Cafe Zola. I've been here a bunch of times and have never had bad food. I have had not-so-great service, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Things like not having water refilled for about an hour, stuff like that. I love all of their omelets and that they have Zingerman's bread for toast, and their amazing (though pricey) coffee. On my birthday, they gave me a free banana Nutella crepe, and I could have died happy right then. One time, I was there for brunch with my boy, and the owner, Hediye, liked a song that was playing, so she got up on the bar and started dancing with her staff. That sealed the deal as one of my fave restaurants.
(4)
Mark B.
My favorite breakfast place in Ann Arbor. Good coffee, chai tea, and Russian Caravan tea. My kids love the PBJ smoothies. The Turkish eggs, smoked salmon omelet, the americana, smoked salmon on bagel, and Turkish brunch, are my favorites. I've enjoyed great, friendly service there for years but routinely arrive about 7 am. I'm must admit I do my best to avoid the out of town brunch crowd.
(5)
Mae S.
Zola is still one of my few favorites that I go back to as often as anywhere. The crepes, omelets, and salads are all really good.
(5)
Gary L.
Really should be a shade under 3 stars. Breakfast sounds more fun than dinner. My recent experience just didn't match the price. My starter was a one heirloom tomato slice, tiny halved cherry tomatoes and small wedges of zebra tomatoes topped with a small scoop of fresh mozzarella drizzled with olive oil, sea salt and basil-it was tasty but pricey at $10. Two slices of bread in a basket was served with a dollop of herbed butter and assorted brined olives. A locally made Owens (?) Ale was recommended and a refreshing golden brew for the Summer evening-$5. I tried the Kobe burger, ordered it medium rare but was served medium with no trace of pink with a small veneer of melted Stilton cheese. The meat did not have any seasoning needing salt and pepper but just tasted like a soft, greasy burger. The french fries were nicely seasoned and hot and crisp when they arrived at the table, but were served in a stainless shake cup that allowed the steam to quickly wilt the fries inside. Premium priced at $15. The grilled onion was not really caramelized and just barely touched on the grill. The spicy mayo was good on the burger and fries, but a second condiment of special ketchup was odd-tasting. The mango pineapple salsa was tasty, but I ate it separately instead of topping the burger. The server was very nice, but would disappear for long periods. It was quiet in the dining room with additional tables outside being covered by three servers. Service could be more attentive for the price you pay. Dinner was decent, but not a great value for the money-you should probably stick to the morning selections at Cafe Zola.
(3)
courtney a.
By far my favorite breakfast place when visiting my home town Ann Arbor. There are only a few things that set them back from being perfect. 1) I give them kudos for seeking out a variety of specialty coffee to chose from. However the menu doesn't change often and the restaurant consistently serves the coffee over extracted, hiding the nuances in the flavor of what could be an exciting cup of coffee. 2) I ordered an open faced omelet that I had once before and remembered loving. However this time the the yams were thrown on top of the well cooked frittata COLD AND UNSEASONeD. the waffles are unbeatable!! And the fruit is always fresh.
(4)
Dawn L.
Cafe Zola is my favorite place to have brunch in Ann Arbor, for two reasons: 1. They have the best crepes in Michigan. I was in Paris a few years ago, and when I came back I was longing for authentic crepes--then I discovered Zola, which has wheat batter for savory crepes, which is a very French style. Try the salmon crepe or the crepe with mozzarella, tomato, and basil. 2. They have excellent espresso. And they do latte art! The staff is always friendly, though the wait for brunch on a Sunday afternoon can be really long. In the evening, the restaurant turns into an upscale melange of French, American, and even Asian cuisine. Lunch isn't expensive, but expect to shell out a decent amount of money for dinner ($25-35). It's worth the occasional trip--I've had dinner here twice, and each time the meal was incredible. My first dinner here was at least two years ago now, and I can still tell you what I ate (lobster ravioli). I dreamed of it for days.
(5)
Kristina D.
I used to come to this place years ago and I've seen the progressive change in the menu over the years. I recently went back to Ann Arbor for the holidays and went to Zola's twice. Once for brunch and once for dinner. Dinner is good, the menu is not too extensive. I like that though, sometimes too many choices makes my head spin. What I really liked was the drinks menu. My friends and I decided to have martinis so we each ordered a different one. They ranged in price from $8-$10, but that what you get in Ann Arbor. When the waitress brought us our drinks she brought the shakers and poured the martinis into the glass for us and left the shakers. We each got about 2 1/2 martinis from each shaker....nice. Love getting my money's worth. I had a really nice arugula and grilled pear salad and crab cakes. They were both very good. My friend got the antipasto platter and it was sooo good. The prociutto was to die for. My other friend had a salad and a really good mushroom appetizer (can't remember it exactly). Brunch was also very good. The menu is huge and extensive. Crepes, omelets, smoothies, coffees, teas...it goes on and on. The coffee is delicious, they really get some good beans. I settled on the smoked salmon platter. It was smoked salmon, onions, capers, cream cheese, capers and a bagel. Really good and simple. My friend had one of the crepes and my other friend had the french toast. All of it was great. I highly recommend this place for any meal. It is not too big, so it can get crowded, but it's worth it.
(4)
Lisa W.
Cafe Zola is the spot to hit if you're trying to take your family out for a great brunch (because the dinner aspect can stand to be missed). As far as drinks, they have mimosas which many people like. I personally enjoy a Sharp's mixed with lemonade much better -- try it. They also have a vodka gimlet martini which introduced me to a world of vodka gimlets, and I learned almost immediately that only Cafe Zola has that art down pat. This martini cannot be duplicated anywhere else. For brunch, all I can say is they have a beautiful assortment of crepes and omlettes -- all of which are a safe bet. The omlettes are huge and unless you like eating three meals at once, try opting for a half order (which is awesome that they even do that). My favorite, however, are their WAFFLES. There is nowhere else in Ann Arbor that makes waffles like they do. It's hard even to find fresh hot waffles, but this place makes them so heavenly and tasty that it is the first thing I begged to eat after I gave birth to my son. Dinner here isn't as amazing as the brunch, but they do have this phenomenal plate of mussels with chorizo. It is so delicious. That is the only dinner item I like, but it's an excellent choice. I thought this review was done but I've forgotten several other aspects: the coffee is good, you can create your own au lait. They have milkshakes that are intense concoctions of creamy goo. The atmosphere is nice and light -- local artist's works, exposed brick walls, bamboos that have been growing since I was a freshman there, and brunch tables that moonlight into dinner tables with white tablecloth. This is probably the safest place to refer someone who wants to eat a nice meal before 3pm.
(4)
maggie t.
Food was alright but "market price" for a glass of orange juice ended up being $6.50. Outrageous to charge that without any indication, either on the menu or from the waitress. And as for the waffle--thin and floppy. At 11 dollars, no thank you. NEVER returning here.
(1)
Christopher S.
Had a kind of vegetarian eggs benedict, was very good and fresh. Service was good as was the coffee.
(4)
Kim L.
The brunch menu was great, but the service was poor. My eggs were undercooked when I asked for them to be over-hard. My husband's food was good and the smoothie was good, but nothing too special. It's also very crowded and loud. Be prepared to wait even if you have a reservation.
(3)
Jeff W.
Excellent breakfast and lunch, the dinners feel pricey for Ann Arbor. But who's going to argue once you finish off the $14 Kobe burger? :-) This is a good place to relax with close friends or a date.
(4)
Melissa R.
Cafe Zola gets very packed during Sunday brunch. Can't blame them but it gets very loud and sometimes you feel a bit rushed as the people waiting for a table stare you down. Luckily, that is the only downside. The food is VERY good. I love the freshness of their fruits and veggies. Their specials are always especially yummy. If it wasn't so loud, I'd go much more often.
(3)
Giggly C.
Excellent brunch fare. I loved the black forest waffle. the omlet my friend ate was savory and delicious. And how wonderful to get your ID checked when you haven't been 21 in over 10 years? ahhh......
(5)
Ellen P.
We stopped here for weekend brunch en route home from a family gathering in the area...we chose Cafe' Zola on the strength of some online recommendations. We very much enjoyed our food, even though the prices are on the spendy side -- we loved the sheer variety of menu items, especially the mix of French, Turkish and American dishes, and had a hard time choosing between the crepes, waffles, omelettes and other choices. (I finally chose one of the savory crepe dishes, which was very good.) We also liked the funky, exotic atmosphere. The coffee was exceptionally good, and this is coming from someone who normally likes a milder brew. The one thing that detracted from our dining experience was sheer lack of space -- the restaurant was completely full, with people waiting in line, and we also had to contend with a couple of Scary Yuppie Stroller Moms. (This wouldn't be my first dining choice for families with tiny children.) We'd love to come back at a slower time of day to try another menu and simply enjoy sitting there with our coffee.
(4)
Puneet S.
Favorite breakfast place in Ann Arbor.
(4)
Leang E.
We got up to have brunch here, and it was pretty good except for the fact that I've come to find that I'm not so much a breakfast person as of lately. I just usually have coffee in the morning and that doesn't leave room for much else. This seems to be a pretty popular spot. The place has a simple, Eastern contemporary theme to it, and it makes for a nice ambiance. I did have my cappuccino here, but it was kind of warm. I had the frittata here, and it was pretty good. I could only eat a small portion of it, and was already stuffed. I felt bad that I wasted so much food, but I wasn't hungry yet. The portions are large here, and the prices are average. Oh, and our waitress was pretty nice.
(4)
Katy B.
Zola, I love you for brunch. Potatoes, spectacular. Mimosas, delicious. Waffles and crepes and... everything else, yum! Service can be a bit lacking at peak brunching hours, but that's generally to be expected. Sitting outside with a mimosa at Cafe Zola is where I want to be at noon on Sundays in the summer.
(5)
Barbara C.
Whenever I visit Zola's, I wonder why I didn't return sooner, as they have such a unique menu, and their wait staff are always so personable. I just had their half pot, ginger ginseng herbal non-caffeinated fresh brew tea. Whew that's a lot of adjectives! Together with my Savory vegetarian swiss crepe, it was a complete and unique (and tasty) meal. My friend's salmon burger didn't look too bad either. I've never had a bad meal or poor service here. Although I usually love their dessert crepes, I passed on these today.
(4)
D L.
I had the most delicious dinner here while in Ann Arbor to visit the business school. The highlights, as I remember them: +Interesting menu +Delicious food +A good wine selection that does not resemble what one could find in a California Safeway +Good service +Good music
(5)
Emma L.
a rude waitress could ruin your day
(1)
Nandini V.
I love the food here, especially the brunch options. The hot chocolate is to die for (and will probably kill you if you drink it too often). I just wish the wait time wasn't forever.
(4)
Alexandra M.
I have been waiting a very long time to go to Cafe Zola, and have heard again and again how delicious their food is. Today was the day; my friends and I were going to kick off a beautiful sunny day with brunch and we were really excited about the menu options and the whole atmosphere of the restaurant. I ordered the Frittata Zola and my friend ordered the Antipasto Sandwich. Though the meal was delicious going down, the two of us paid for it for the rest of the day... OH AND A COKE IS 2.50 and regular coffee is 3.15. wtf.
(1)
Heather G.
25 Things I Love About Cafe Zola's Brunch* and One Thing I don't: 25. Killer bloody marys 24. The ever-changing decor 23. Multiple coffee roasts to choose from, all delicious 22. Most excellent people watching opportunities 21. The lovely lox platter, with a bagel, capers, veggies, cream cheese etc. 20. They know the difference between an omelet and a frittata 19. You can order coffee brewed in a French press 18. Real butter. 17. The rosemary roasted redskins are always perfectly done and delicious, and always included with my omelet. 16. F-ing ICE CREAM on a f-ing WAFFLE for BREAKFAST!! 15. They appreciate the under appreciated herb tarragon 14..They don't have Lipton tea. 13. Goat Cheese + Challah Croutons + Sweet Potatoes + Caramelized Onions = Party in My Mouth aka... Frittata Zola 12. They use buckwheat batter to make their savory crepes 11. It's really not *that* expensive... 10. IMHO, it's the only place in A2 to get a decent crepe. 9. They have their brunch menu until 4:00 pm in case you get a late start 8. Pretty food 7. They serve THE champignon crepe, stuffed with mushrooms, topped with a savory mushroom sauce... I can hope that I will be able to replicate in my lifetime. Three French cookbooks later, file under F for "fail" but I digress. 6. The similarly situated Omelet Duxelles. 5. Michigan. Maple. Syrup. 4. Challah Toast. Holla! Get it? Challah? Holla? Sorry. 3. Not a sign of Redi-Whip in the whole joint 2. Booze with your Brunch...aka the only way to have a proper brunch. 1. It is perfect place to spend a weekday morning when you are playing hooky and want to enjoy a leisurely and delicious breakfast. Trust me. Not that I've ever done it. 0. Everyone else loves it too, so there's always a wait on the weekend and it is super crowded and loud. *This is a brunch/breakfast review. My love for Cafe Zola does not extend to their dinner menu, which is only 3.5 to 4 stars in my book.
(5)
Dominic L.
Had brunch there last week... Food was great and atmoshere is very chill... expect a line on sunday... i had the crepes... they are great but not exactly filling for the hungry ones... didnt try the cocktails but they look interesting... wouldnt mind coming here every sunday if i live in ann arbor
(4)
NJ C.
an overly crowded experience that was overpriced. If you want to have a hearty, relaxing brunch and you are a kind of person that can get annoyed by some pretentious hype, this is not the place you want to go. However nice it might seem from the outside.
(3)
Emma K.
My breakfast home away from home. Crepes of any kind are never a bad idea here...especially the champignon. Turkish eggs or Turkish breakfast are amazing and I would pretty much steal an old ladies purse for one of those damn mochas.....mmmmm.
(5)
Alison L.
Cafe Zola is one of the best and most consistent restaurants in Ann Arbor. If I could afford it, I would host a mimosa brunch here for everyone I know each and every Sunday, and then life itself as we know it would surely appear to be as fulfilling and enjoyable as those delicious little fruit filled crepes. Ooh la la, c'est marveilleux!
(4)
Lydia S.
There are many reviews here for Cafe Zola's breakfast, but don't hesitate to come for evening cocktails. I am very impressed with Cafe Zola's variety of classic cocktails. The Sidecar, Sazerac, Martini, Negroni, Pimm's Cup, Manhattan. And they are made well. Came for dinner on a date with my then-new relationship, saw the price, and my eyes popped out of my head. I did not want my date to think I was high maintenance by ordering a pricey dish, so I stuck with a salad. It was not terribly filling, but I had a few bites of his fish dish (can't remember what we ordered, exactly), and my salad + cocktail tided me over. Great atmosphere, as well. Mood-lit and the dark wood make for a very romantic atmosphere, and on a busy night, the place is booming with laughter and clinking glasses. I'll definitely be going again! And, if you want to fit in, look nice. I abide by the mantra, "I'd rather be over-dressed than under-dressed," and people tend to look nice, here.
(4)
Grace S.
Wonderful Brunch Place in the area! On every sunday, the place is packed with people. It gives you the kind of vibe that you are looking for in a Sunday morning so that you can start the day early! (not staying in bed until 2-ish as what I usually do) I went there twice, one on the Vday with my gal frds, one with my frd visiting Ann Arbor. I had a good time in both occasions. Food was really good and they made the food feel a little bit less oily than what they really were. I don't know how they do that but I don't feel guilty finishing the whole breakfast dish. Probably it's because it doesn't have a large portion as what Angelo's has to offer. Anyway, good for group hangouts.
(4)
Katie M.
This breakfast was hands down the best I've ever had in my life. AMAZING flavors for pancakes and omelets. This place is so good I feel like simple food like pancakes and eggs just doesn't do it justice. Really if you're in Ann Arbor this HAS to be one of your stops.
(5)
Monaco C.
Expensive. Food was alright. i ordered eggs benedict and they brought out over easy fried eggs (intentionally). So, cant say that i got what i paid for. Great atmosphere tho.
(3)
Molly H.
I feel it should be noted that you can get a 2 egg omelet instead of the massive 3 egg variety and thereby achieve a perfectly reasonable breakfast quantity. Took my family here recently and they were incredibly impressed. Thanks Zola!
(4)
Lara S.
I do love going here, but I have to keep my rating at 3 stars because if they had any competition in Ann Arbor, I wouldn't go as much. It has a nice urban vibe inside with exposed brick and an often lively atmosphere. The service ranges from very friendly to being ignored. On weekend mornings for brunch there is often a wait and the wait staff rush you from your table. One time, they even took away our waters before the check had come back for us to sign. I understand wanting to turn a table, but come on. The food is good- in my opinion brunch and lunch are better than dinner. My favorites are the Autumn Omelet and the Turkish Eggs. Very creative and always very tasty.
(3)
Theresa U.
Came here one wintery day to meet up with Lisa N. for lunch! They could have had a larger winter rug by the front door. It was awfuly slippery! Everyone tracking snow in. But besides that. About the food! I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with saffron mayo. The chicken was very moist and flavorful! I'd order it again. The bread was a little touch to chew. I think the roof of my mouth bled a little. Eh. oh well. Lisa N. ordered Zola crepe. Which looked good. And fried. Yum! I LOVE the dipping sauces! She also oredered a waffle and grilled cheese. We ended our 'light' (haha! yeah- right) lunch with their lemon poppyseed cake. That was SOOO good. Just like moms! I'm not quite sure if they had ordered it from Zingerman's. I'll have to ask next time I go. 4 stars...
(4)
Theresa T.
I have a good friend from Brooklyn who loves to come to Cafe Zola when she's in town. So I tend to drop by Zola a few times a year. I think that this place is extremely overpriced and the snooty waitstaff is down right silly. Yes, the food is fantastic but it's not worth the wait, the obnoxiously apathetic staff, nor the expensive coffee that's well -- not *that* great.
(2)
Scott D.
Holy hell, this place is awesome. The teas, crepes and omelettes are as good as they get. Brunch is worth the usually short wait. No matter what you get, you will love it. I promise.
(5)
Ayesha S.
I ended up back here the other day with my laptop in tow. I was told that the only real way to plug in was to sit at the bar (fine by me) and have the servers would have to plug me in behind the bar (not really fine by me- awkward). They were kind enough to do so, but I kind of figured that Cafe Zola is not the type of place to go and get work done. For some reason, this disappointmented me as I think it totally has that vibe- at least during the day. I decided to get the chicken sandwich rather than my usual crepe. Totally not a good idea! The sandwich bread was IMPOSSIBLE to cut through! I ended up eating the chicken breast on its own and munching on the bread as needed. I'm not sure how anyone could eat that thing! I also really dislike bread that makes my gums bleed, but that is just me. I'd still go back to Zola, but I'd stick to the breakfast entrees and not think about flying solo to get work done. Sad face, Zola.
(3)
Clayton H.
Excellent brunch food. I am a student, so this place can't be frequented too often due to its absurdly priced cuisine. But man, it is wonderful. Absolutely delicious and fresh all the way around. And that is from a guy who has eaten at every breakfast joint in Ann Arbor.
(5)
judy h.
Came here for dinner... great ambience (ie can't really see what i am eating without taking a picture of it.) had a delicious asparagus salad with the bread pudding with dark chocolate, vanilla ice-cream, and kumquat marmalade. The service was excellent too!
(4)
Clarence C.
Cafe Zola serves great food, a little on the pricey side, but worth the extra dollars for what you get. Kobe burger with fries was delicious. Good meat and grilled perfectly. I also loved the stilton salad and the crab cakes. They came with a bread basket and herb butter that made me very happy--delicious whole grain bread and another bread with sesame seeds in the crust. The Salmon burger did not agree with me, and this was a small personal tragedy, because I love fish and was looking forward to it. I should have read the menu more closely--and then had them hold the ginger. I don't like the mouth-burning taste of raw ginger. It ruined this dish for me. I like how they take care of all the little details at Cafe Zola. The presentation is above par for Ann Arbor. And most dishes incorporate an uncannny combination of flavors and textures that can't be accidental. The dinner menu is short and a little pricey. Only about 15 options for the main course, although there are daily specials. The prices are slightly higher than other downtown restaurants, despite the casual decor. Expect to pay $20 to $30 per plate for dinnner, although you can go cheaper with the hamburger or pasta. (I'm being tough because I love you, Cafe Zola. Just make sure you stay on my list of favorites.)
(4)
Valentina M.
Very Good Food But expensive !! Great mocha's and yummy sandwiches !! Would Recommend !!
(4)
Alayna H.
Yummy yummy in my tummy. Yes, Cafe Zola is a slightly expensive, but the food is well worth the price. I'm generally not one to purchase drinks at restaurants since more often than not they're very overpriced, so I have no qualms there. Well, non-alcohlic drinks that is...anyhow, I have been to Zola a few times and each time myself and my lunch counterparts were very pleasantly surprised. I generally go with the crepes and have never been disappointed. In the summer I love to sit outside, although one particular day it was quite windy and the charm was slightly diminished, but we still enjoyed it. Overall, not the type of place I'd frequent since I'm a cheap-o, but a great place to go for some delicious brunch when you feel like treating yourself.
(4)
Jay R.
This review is for brunch at 10am on a weekday morning in August, so I can't offer any views on crowding or table turnover issues. While it was a bit on the pricey side, it was worth every penny for the quality and attention to detail. The coffee was excellent (some kind of Sumatran French roast) and constantly replenished, as was the water. The breads were from Zingerman's and fresh and good. I had an Istanbul omelette - eggplant, cheese (I substituted havarti for whatever cheese they normally used) and some other vegetables that I can't recall, and it was superb. My wife loved her spinach omelette and my son's waffles were among the best I had anywhere. Add in a cool vibe and it's a great brunch place.
(5)
S M.
I've eaten here a few times and have generally had pretty positive experiences here. On average, it's probably 3.5 stars. Today was a bit of an exception and hopefully not a harbinger of things to come in terms of future dining experiences. The service was a bit uncoordinated -- I had to ask for ketchup, a pepper shaker (we had 2 salt shakers), more water, a different type of toast (after not being asked this initially) -- and left the restaurant wishing the server had refilled my glass one final time. The worst affront was that my seemingly lovely Omelette Zola (with carmelized onions, goat cheese, and sweet potato chunks) was riddled with undercooked sweet potato pieces. I was only able to find a few pieces that were somewhat amenable to chewing. The side of potatoes, on the other hand, were somewhat overcooked and sort of lackluster. All in all, I do like this place typically, but today seemed to be off. Do I find their food phenomenal? Not really, especially for the price. But for Ann Arbor, I suppose it's pretty decent.
(3)
Christine E.
I wasn't going to write a review because it seems that people have mostly said what I hate about this place. I would like to say that the service is HORRIBLE! I've been here four times. Once, we were completely ignored for fifteen minutes until we finally left without ordering. Once the host looked down his nose at us as if to say "what do you think your doing here?" and informed us that the table outside was for some of their "regulars" and that we would have to sit inside. Another time we sat at the bar and had drinks, the bartender was a delightful change to the awful experiences I've had here, but it was too little too late. I will not be returning.
(1)
Dharma A.
I think Zola has a great dinner menu, though they are known for breakfast. Many interesting dishes that meld styles from around the world. Really like the Shrimp Batu! They also serve an appetizer with Tracklement's smoked salmon (the best and a local favorite)! I worked there for several months before starting graduate school, so I know the menu pretty well. They have a great wine selection and wonderful cocktails. Be prepared to pay top dollar for them though! The interior is attractive--I like the exposed brick look, though sound tends to bounce off the walls making it a bit echoey when there is a crowd.
(4)
Stacie F.
This place is so great that there is almost always a line out the door. The breakfast plates are unique and super tasty. I got the Asparagus and Goat Cheese Omlette and it was so good but the Turkish Breakfast looked amazing as well. Also, don't forget to order a pot of french pressed coffee and a crepe to share for dessert.
(5)
S H.
Better break the piggy bank for this one! A bowl of oatmeal is nearly $9.00 and if you want soy milk with that, add 90 cents. For four of us the bill came to $100 with tip. This was for breakfast--no alcohol and only one fancy coffee drink!!! I will say the portions are huge--too big really. The server should have told us how much food there was going to be. After you eat, just head straight to University Hospital for an angioplasty--no healthy eating at this place.
(2)
S S.
Cafe Zola was excellent. We had the lobster salad, Hawaiian Tuna and the Sea Bass. All of them were remarkable and the service was fantastic too. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in Ann Arbor. Love this place!
(5)
Kristine K.
Dear Cafe Zola, We only just met, but I think I've fallen in love. I'm not sure if it was the herbed butter that you served with the bread accompaniment to my meal (the mixed pieces of wheat and sesame were a nice touch, by the way), or the way that you took the time to grill the asparagus before folding it into the delicious omelette, or the freshly cut fruit that you so kindly substituted for the breakfast potatoes, and surely, your cool atmosphere didn't hurt either...All I know is, you got it, baby! Your admirer, Kristine K.
(5)
Christie R.
Terrible experience. Went for brunch on a Saturday. The space is sooo cramped. I ordered a salmon hash and it tasted awful. It was burned on the bottom and that threw off all the flavors. The waitress just gave us our food and didn't come back until we were done eating. A little too late for me to complain about the food. I paid cash and they didn't give me my change back. They ended up taking a 35% tip for terrible food and service. I will definitely not come back here.
(1)
Devon A.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor. While the dinner selections are solid, I prefer visiting Zola for brunch. The crepes and french toast selections are excellent. Good atmosphere and good food.
(4)
Glenn F.
Just had dinner there this past weekend and I have to say that I was very pleased with the food that was provided for this group. The service for this table of 7 people was very good. Food and drinks were all delivered promptly and courteously. The prices were just a bit high for my taste. I remember when Cafe Zola was a humble coffee shop. I have fond memories of modestly priced teas, coffee, and amazing baked goods. I miss those days. I have also been here for Sunday brunch. That was a lovely experience. If you can get past the prices, this place is certainly somewhere you can go for a nice meal.
(4)
Tony C.
Zola...this is easily one of the best experiences to be had in Ann Arbor. I'll get the negatives for this place right out in the open. It's popular, really popular. It's expensive, but not break the bank expensive. A few reviews have commented about the wait there and true to their word, it's atrocious. So, be wise, and make a reservation. Now, let me get to the good stuff. The food at Zola is impeccable. We've had both brunch and dinner there and perhaps we've always just ordered wisely, but we've always been impressed. My in-laws even got to eat there and they are total food snobs and really enjoyed it there. For brunch, they are known for their sweet crepes, but I'm more interested in their savory items. Their omelets are excellent. For dinner, my wife got the lamb chops and they were flavorful and tender. I think they also gave her six bones, which is an extremely large portion. The service is consistent (once you sit down). The wait staff is friendly. The bar area is hopping too. They make some of the best drinks in town. Unfortunately, the bar area is quite crowded, but if you are in need of a high quality alcohol beverage and don't mind being smushed in, go here. I'm a mojito snob and theirs hit the spot. Eat here, leave a little poorer, but with a bellyful of good food, good drinks, and a smile on your face.
(5)
gina p.
Cafe Zola is not only my favorite brunch spot in Ann Arbor, but probably my favorite brunch spot EVER. Best of all possible brunches. This is not to be taken lightly. Everything on the menu is awesome, but my favorites is Turkish Eggs, sub the toast for a Zingerman's bagel. Hell. Yes. My biggest complaint is that this restaurant couldn't move with me when I left AA.
(5)
Nina B.
I love this place!! Awesome brunch place...I especially recommend the omelets. Portions are large and scrumptious. Coffee drinks are wonderful, as are the steamers. Wonderful variety of food. Even though it's a popular joint, service is relatively quick.
(5)
Paul D.
So, Cafe Zola. Hmmm. I have never been here for anything but the breakfast, so I can't comment on the evening meal. However, it is exactly because I have been here for breakfast that I have never returned for dinner. Starting with the positive, you simply cannot knock the food. The food is, simply put, fabulous. Omeletes, frittata, crepes (both sweet and savory), waffles are all, well, fabulous. From here things go quickly down hill. Every time I've been here the service is atrocious. Really, really bad. I have never once felt rushed. I have, however, almost always felt ignored. Good luck getting your water refilled. This brings me to another point. The coffee. I thoroughly enjoy coffee, especially coffee that has been well prepared in a French Press. Zola is one of the few places that I can think of that serves coffee this way (maybe the only one now that I really think about it). But, quite honestly they would do themselves and their patrons a favor if they never served coffee like this again. More mess than it's worth. Each time I've been I order coffee for the table in a French Press (you'd think that I'd remember that this is not a great idea, but I never do) and each time I am sorely disappointed. In closing, go for the food and don't worry about what you spend on the food because you'll really save on the tip.
(3)
Jackie B.
Revised, January 1, 2013: Cafe Zola is THE place for brunch/lunch in Ann Arbor. My husband and I eat there for brunch about three Saturdays out of each month. The omelets are big enough for two, and they're happy to give a second plate. For an extra charge, they will divide it in the kitchen and add extra potatoes and toast for the second plate (not actually necessary unless you both love toast or crave carbs). The smoked salmon omelette (with a lovely mustard sauce) is the most expensive (around $15) and the best, although I am becoming increasingly enamored of the Southwestern omelette and also like the mushroom (duxelles) omelette. Soups are always good (my favorites are creamy tomato and ribolita), and most of the sandwiches, are, too. This is one of the few places I will eat a burger out (which means it's at least as good as we make at home). GREAT fries! For breakfast egg dishes that come with breakfast potatoes, you can substitute fries if you want (I often do, since they are so good--the best around). They come with spicy mayo and a house-made ketchup. They put white table cloths on the tables around 3-4pm, and the prices go up (even for the same burgers), and the pricey entrees come out. It's usually good for dinner, though a tad pricey for every day. I recommend the lamb chops *very* highly! For New Years Eve, they put together a special menu (and even higher prices) and have a party. This year, I had osso bucco again (foodie comfort food), and my husband had a wild mushroom and truffle pasta dish--both were great! We split a baby octopus appetizer and a blood orange, greens, marcona almond salad, which were also excellent. There are two seating periods for New Years Eve, and I recommend going for the later one (which begins at 8:00), whether you're staying for the party or not. It's more festive, and I think the service is better. I heartily recommend Cafe Zola for breakfast, brunch, or lunch any day of the week (but expect a lengthy wait if you go before 1pm on weekends). Dinner is really good, too, and none of the meals, especially dinner, are for the budget-conscious, though I did recently split an omelette with a friend, and we got the extra potatoes and toast; with a drink, my half of the entire bill was only $13, which is downright cheap for Zola.
(4)
Brad D.
It has been pretty good in the past, but this past experience my service was not great, and the food was average.....then, the bill came. BAM. Very expensive.
(2)
Mei O.
As everyone chowed on their breakfast around me, happy and talking, I realized I wish I had ordered anything but my dish, the mushroom savory crepe. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I've had better crepes. It was on the dry side, and needed something else. But I tasted Andrew's Blitz crepe, a sweet crepe, and that was so yummy. The waffles and omelettes were huge and everyone who had one seemed to enjoy their meal. Maybe better luck next time? The prices were also a little high, but you do get a lot of food.
(4)
Michael F.
Zola is, bar none, my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. We go there as often as possible. I think the important thing to know about Zola is that it is really two very different restaurants: a brunch/lunch spot featuring crepes, sandwiches and awesome egg dishes, plus a cozy bistro with great cocktails and a range of delicious dishes from braised lamb shank to spaghetti and meatballs TO DIE FOR. Since it seems that most other reviewers have already covered the brunch scene, I will focus on the joys of Zola for dinner. Zola offers a warm somewhat subdued atmosphere during the week, but is hopping on Saturday nights. The waitstaff is far and above any other Ann Arbor eatery. Bar none. They are typically prompt, friendly, knowledgeable about the food and attentive without hovering. The food at Zola runs a wide range from rather simple fare like salmon burgers and the aforementioned spaghetti and meatballs, to more complex dishes like scallops in a beet reduction. Steaks include a chimichurri which is accompanied by a pesto that makes the meat sing. Ravioli with brown butter and sage is mouthwatering. Often they have a whole fish cooked in parchment, which is always cooked to perfection. Their seared tuna with wasabi and coconut rice adds an asian flavor to the menu. Each dish is complex and presented with a flair that make even the simpler dishes shine. The menu includes a good selection of pasta, fish and meat dishes. The amount of food is ample and can be complemented by several delicious salads that can be shared as appetizers. I must take a moment to say a word about Zola's cocktails which are outstanding. The martinis in particular, seem pricey, but are accompanied by a shaker that contains at least 3 drinks! I suggest their sidecar or the martini frida, which looks like xmas. Zola has uniformly been a pleasant dining experience for us. That is saying alot in Ann Arbor where service is typically spotty even at the higher end restaurants. The food is special enough for us to feel like it goes beyond what we could do at home. I think no restaurant in Ann Arbor exceeds Zola for a pleasurable dining experience.
(5)
Stella R.
Often at Zola's for breakfast. Like the food, but always feel like my credit card cries a little afterwards... My last bill was $30+ for two people and all that we had was a few teas, oatmeal and fruit. We're pretty comfortable and it is a nice setting, but that just didn't set right with me. Now I'm looking more for other options.
(3)
Haroun K.
I agree with anyone who rates Zola far and above Felix. It's much much better. I went there for Brunch this past Sunday, my first time there. Although I was reaaaaaaaally hungover, I enjoyed my crepe very much, as did my friend. I got a savory one, and he got a sweet one. The lemonade I had was ok. The service was surprisingly quick, which I did not expect after checking out the reviews. Though when my knife fell, it took about 7-8 minutes to get a clean one! My main qualm was the price. My crepe was worth the 6 dollars, but the lemonade was around 3 dollars, and it wasn't worth 3 dollars. Oh well.
(4)
Michael B.
If you're going to do brunch in Ann Arbor, do it right! Don't go to the Gandy Dancer...don't go Afternoon Delight...run, don't walk, to Cafe Zola! I've been here so many times, I can't even express the joy I have when I think about it. Delicious Chicken Sandwich and crazy good fries, and top it off with their own homemade ketchup! My boyfriend swears by the omelettes and hasn't found a place in New York that even compares. Your tea and coffee comes in a french press...so great. The staff is friendly and super efficient (at least when I've been there). Honestly...I'm sure they exist, but I have yet to find a brunch place in the US that makes me as happy as Zola does. I can't speak for dinner...I've actually heard it's nothing to write home about...but their brunch MORE than makes up for it :)
(5)
Paul B.
Sorry to be punitive but it's hard to give more than a 1 given we never got to sit down and enjoy a meal. The reservation was for 10 of us at 11am on a Sunday AM and was told it'd be a wait. Fine; it's hard to get tables cleared right on time, so it's understandable it wouldn't be immediate. So we wait a bit. But then a bit becomes a while and we check in with the hostess again. Eventually they call a reservationless party of 10 ahead of us with the hostess saying "Sorry, they've been waiting an hour and a half." We asked if the rest of the people that arrived before us but that didn't have reservations would also have priority and were met with dismissal. So we left to find a new place that could accommodate our relatively-large group (not an easy task, and not so fun when you're hungry). The moral of the story is if you take reservations, operate your business as such so that you can honor them; otherwise don't take reservations and do first come, first served.
(1)
Diana S.
This place was delicious and a total calorie splurge. I had the waffles with coconut and vanilla ice cream on top. It was so decadent and I felt so guilty afterwards...guilty that I couldn't finish the last bite! yum yum yum! I love obnoxiously hearty breakfast. The place was super cute and the staff was great. Loved it!
(4)
Lisa L.
This place got super busy -- may have something to do with the Michigan Minnesota game that day, but never the less, there was a line out the door and it was about 10am. I guess I was a little confused due to my West Coast time confusion, since I was just recently sleeping on a plane prior to landing and eating breakfast at Cafe Zola's. I had an amazing autumn omelette with REALLY good coffee. Usually the house coffee sucks, but this time, I was impressed... Les had the asparagus and goat cheese omelette. That one was good too... The lines tell you something! It's not just a co-in-keeee-dink. :)
(4)
Rala S.
This place is awesome. They secretly take reservations if you have a party of 6 or more, and the atmosphere is fantastic. There will usually be a wait on weekends at mid-morning, but it's worth it. Crepes are fantastic and so are the omelets. Coffee is delicious and they have a wide-range of tea, hot cocoa etc.
(5)
Victor C.
PROS: Food full of flavor, dishes different from what you'll find elsewhere in Ann Arbor, nice atmosphere, great selection of coffee served in french press pots CONS: Brunch-time wait can be long (but no different than any other good breakfast spot in Ann Arbor), service is usually spotty - the servers are pleasant, but it seems they have too many tables to handle all the time RECOMMENDED DISHES: For dinner, the Chimchurri Tango and Wild Mushroom Pasta are both very good. For brunch, most all the omelettes and crepes are great (try the Autumn Omelette) AVOID: Better waffles can be had elsewhere ATMOSPHERE: Nice decor and feel, great windows and lighting, can be noisy PRICE RANGE: Dinner entrees are $13 - $29. Brunch main dishes are around $9 or $10 BASED ON: Numerous visits ONE MORE THING: If you've been to Zola for brunch and think it is overrated or too expensive, go for dinner sometime. We think you'll be impressed.
(5)
Peter S.
Amen to Evan M's review. It's the one I'd write if he hadn't already covered things perfectly - Mine was for 12/24/09 - same Holiday crowd - very good food and service once we were seated (group of 11). Very nice feel to the place. It's worth seeking out. Lucky Ann Arbor!
(4)
Dave Y.
the brunch here is probably the best one around. it gets really crowded on weekends and you often have to wait a while, but it's totally worth it. they serve pretty authentic french-style food. the crepes are some of the best i've had outside of france, and their coffees, especially when made in french presses, are superb. it's also a beautiful and pleasant environment. this is definitely one of ann arbor's gems
(5)
S K.
Would give it 4 stars for breakfast but only 2-3 for dinner, partially because of the service. My salmon burger was great, though I received it after everyone else in my party had finished their 'meh' entrees.
(3)
Laura K.
The first time I went to Zola, it was great. I had the scallops in a beet wine reduction, and it was fantastic. The second time I went there, I ordered fish. There were so many tiny bones in the fish that I couldn't take a bite without crunching on them. I've also been there for brunch, and found my asparagus omelet extremely bland. It's way too inconsistent for the price!
(3)
David N.
I visited on a busy Sunday morning. We had made reservations but an additional two people show up. The hostess was clearly annoyed. After waiting for an additional 30 minutes, we were seated. The attitude from the hostess was on constant display. I ordered the Farmhouse Omelette and the Nutella Babanna Crepe with some green tea. The red skin potatoes were so heavily spiced that I couldn't taste the potato. The omelette was bland. I thought it may have needed salt but adding that didn't help. The omelette wasn't bad though. Just a little bland. The nutella bananna was very good. The green tea with jasmine served in a tea press was bitter. Overall, I wouldn't visit this restaurant again. The atmosphere was nice and the waitress did a good job keeping up with everyone (although the ice water was often warm and without ice) but the food didn't suit my taste and the attitude shown by the host staff didn't leave me feel valued as a customer.
(2)
Elizabeth S.
Five stars for the crepes. Minus two stars for the several times I've had incredibly rude or inattentive service. Actually the servers tend to be great- it's usually the hostess who doesn't notice you exist or the management type person who seems to be ushering you out the door after it took 30 minutes to get your check. If you go on a weekend, very late into the brunch time (I think like, 1:30/2?) it tends to be less crowded. Don't even think about going within a block of it on Mother's Day. Dinner is overpriced, and not that impressive for the price, though the wait tends to be less crazy. I really only think the cost is justified for breakfast... the strawberry and banana crepes really do keep me coming back, despite my complaints regarding the service.
(3)
Diana K.
I, like many an Ann Arborite, love Cafe Zola. And though there are plenty of reviews to attest to the fact, I feel the need to add the following: skip the brunch and go here for dinner. I know, I know, it's a lot pricier at dinner and brunch is such a novelty (as are crepes, apparently. I mean, they're really not that hard to make and Zola's crepes are just OK. Nothing special). So skip the crowds and the long wait and treat yourself to their goat cheese stuffed salmon for dinner on a bed of mushroom-filled ravioli while basking in the glow of tea lights. You'll thank me. And as an aside, they get bonus points for the way they handle carry out orders. You know, for the days when you feel like poo and don't want to gussy up for a meal out, but you are still craving an amazing meal in? They don't skimp - they'll pack your entree to go with the pre-meal bread and olives and butter. But alas, they get docked one star for how crazy it gets during weekend brunch. They don't let you take your time and on one occasion, my party was shooed away as soon as we finished eating to make way for the throngs of other potential diners waiting for our spot. Not cool.
(4)
Andrew M.
Sunday brunch lines are out the door. Plan on waiting a long time to pay upwards of $12 for an omelet. The food is very good, but I subtracted two stars for price and crowds. Once you're in, you're crammed up against the table next to you and the open dining area creates a lot of noise that makes holding a conversation difficult. I'm sure I'll be back at some point, just not for brunch.
(3)
Mike R.
If you close your eyes, open them, you'd swear you were somewhere in NYC (Chelsea, Upper West Side, etc.) Bare brick walls, tight spaces, simple white linen, and extremely innovative menu. I was lucky to have the pleasure of eating the Octopus app, wow was that great ! Moving on to the tunar tartar, then to safir app, another winner. Great wine list, with reasonable prices... and an all female wait staff dressed in simple black, some with fake pearls, real eye candy, something out of a Robert Palmer video....... yes, it was truly 'simply irresistible'.
(4)
Theresa F.
What a great brunch spot. It's always very busy to plan to wait on the weekends. Their sweet crepes are so good -- I love their Normandie crepe. Sit outside on nice mornings if there's room. They have a good selection of loose leaf teas and a really yummy hot chocolate (so says Steve).
(4)
Betty B.
I just went to brunch here yesterday for the first time. The food itself was top-notch. I had the veg. Omelette Duxelles, and the eggs were noticeably unusually delicious. And the mushroom filling was fabulous, too. A very good 1/2 pot of tea, though I do have to agree with some other reviewers on here--the menu is only slightly overpriced on the whole, but one really doesn't want to pay $5.25 for tea. I'd definitely go back and eat more of this delicious food, but I agree with others on here that there's something of an atmosphere/service type of problem. First, the hostess asked sort of inconfidently if this absolutely ridiculously-placed table was okay for us. Nope.Then someone tried to take my plate when I was still eating, and we generally felt rushed by the staff. (Granted, a huge crowd was waiting. But if I'm going to spend $20 on brunch, and haven't been taking up a space for a crazy-long time or anything--eh, I want to finish my tea and converse for a minute.) The use of space here is kind of crazy. I got up to go to the bathroom before I left, and the tables were so jam-packed that I had to walk along this handicapped-accessible ramp to get through the throng. I'm not sure how the servers were getting food through. Despite the handicapped-accessible ramp going over a small stair (I think), the overcrowding means the place in general doesn't seem very handicapped-accessible, even if they're claiming to be. I also noticed a guy who was blind and being led by his dog seemed to have a pretty hard time getting from his table to the door. Then when we went to actually leave--as others noted, WTF with the no-waiting-area? Everyone was literally packed into the entrance way. Maybe 15 people directly between the doors and the hostess station. & you actually had to sort of push your way through. Has got to be a better system--either give up some space to make a waiting area, or make people stand outside to wait. Certainly the place seems to be doing well despite the problems, but be prepared for a little raucousness. And maybe avoid the weekend rush if you have any sort of mobility issues. Fab food tho, and I bet it's great if you hit it at an off hour.
(3)
Erich Z.
There are two things that must be known before eating at Caf Zola. First, it's pricey. It's Ann Arbor, so you knew that, right? I'm just saying, you *will* be paying $8 for those eggs and bakey. Second, it takes a long damn time to eat there. You'll wait for a table. You'll wait, at the table, for your hostess. You'll wait for the server. You'll wait for your food. And then you'll wait for refills, the check, change, and anything else you may need at the moment. Brunch for two takes over an hour on Saturdays usually, if you're wise and thinking about the meter outside. That said, the food is excellent. The crepes are simple and sweet or savory. The heartier fare is simple too, and delicious. I enjoyed the Turkish Eggs, so go outside your comfort zone. Or don't - it will still be good. Go there for a delicious, casual, slow, relaxed brunch and you'll be leaving a happy patron.
(3)
Tom A.
'asparagus ommlette' = ONE piece of asparaagus we loved this place in the late 90s. just great for hanging. then it went all bistro-y, started making worse food at higher prices... go figure. it's been a while but I wouldn't ever go back.
(1)
Eric K.
Cafe Zola has to be my favorite breakfast place in Michigan. The Nutella Banana crepe is wonderful. It's right downtown Ann Arbor too, so you can explore downtown after breakfast. A great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning.
(5)
Parisa K.
My favorite thing about this place are the crepes. They are just so good and delicious and hard to come by. I usually just come for a sweet crepe and some tea. I have dined in a few times, sadly never for brunch. Their dinner entrees are a bit too expensive for my budget, but they have excellent appetizers you can split and tasty salads that make a great meal. The location is right in downtown Ann Arbor, and the atmosphere is both fun and relaxing. All around, Cafe Zola is a good time.
(4)
Philip P.
Good lord, Chimichurri steak! Wasn't expecting such flavor from a place with mostly reviews on the excellent coffee. This place delivers on dinner!
(4)
Phillip L.
My favorite brunch spot in A2, easy. I have fond memories of Sunday brunch with friends over delicious food, giant pieces of toast, and cups of coffee so big you could fit your fist in it. Brunch wait time can be a bit crazy though, so be prepared to come way early or wait in a cramped space. I've also had dinner here before, but it's on the pricier side. I think brunch is still the best value. It's also a trek from UM campus though.
(5)
Joe C.
Cafe Zola is one of my go-to brunch locations, especially on Sundays, when you can find free parking downtown. While some of my friends love the crepes, I tend to stick with the omelettes or the waffles. The coffee has always been good, either french press or regular drip. The herb butter with the toast is amazing. While there is often a wait during prime brunch times, the interior is nice and the service reasonable once seated. It's a bit on the expensive side, but nothing terrible. More seating would be nice, but everything is arranged as optimally as possible given everything there. While I wouldn't go there every weekend, I have been known to go several times in quick succession, if only to have both a savory and sweet brunch there. I've only been there once for dinner, which was a while ago. They messed up my order (my chicken was never put in) but they ended us giving us free food and drinks. It wouldn't be a first choice to go to for dinner again, but I wouldn't refuse if that's where people wanted to go.
(4)
Lynda L.
We were really looking forward to trying zolas based on the reviews. We made a reservation and our table wasn't ready with about 5 empty tables. We ordered a bread basket before hand for the kids which came with no bread plates. We asked for them and never received them. No refills on coffee. I ordered the crab cake Benedict and it was stone cold. The food had a potential of being good if service wasn't so slow. Very disappointing. I would definitely pick another spot.
(1)
Lissett P.
Great food the flat iron stake salad was very well seasoned and cooked. The smoked bacon and Michigan cherries did it for me. The bread also was awesome. I will go back for lunch or dinner sometime again soon.
(5)
Anthoine W.
Food wasn't bad at all we enjoyed a strawberry crepe and a nice omelette after my dentist appointment. The food was decent and nice a portion for the price, but the drinks were pretty high in my opinion. 8$ for fresh squeezed orange juice, but hey I love fresh OJ! But overall pretty good, only wish our sever would have been more attentive, she just drop off the food and came to pick up plates.
(3)
Alex K.
The Service, Food, & the Atmosphere was awesome.
(5)
Ann L.
Huge menu. Good food. Nice atmosphere. Sort of pricey for the location though.
(5)
Laya L.
Came here for brunch with two of my friends and we all loved our food! The indoor decor is pretty nice and they have paintings for sale up on the wall too. It is a little pricey but I did find my food worth it.
(5)
Mary J.
Always, always, always an exceptional experience! Went for my birthday in September with family -- the branzino en papillote was buttery soft and well seasoned! Champagne was lovely! Service always attentive but handled without impacting table conversation. Party was at the table in the window - fun, memorable evening!
(4)
Michelle P.
Space: Nice, dark lighting.. probably a nice place for a date Service: quick and pleasant despite our huge party of 15+ people Food: Appetizers were pretty good-- my favorite was probable the fig and cheese..Had the steak form my main course and it was delicious and perfectly cooked. The Chimichurri Sauce was delicious and a perfect pairing
(4)
Kayla F.
This is a nice place. There are great restaurants, there are horrible restaurants, there are those hot or cold niche restaurants. This isn't any of those. This is just a plain and simple *good* restaurant. You're bound to find something you'll love here, something you'll like, something you'll come back for. I've had their burgers, entrees, breakfast meals, drinks, and desserts and it's all been tasty. Some of it is on the pricey end, but for the most part, taking into account the quality and atmosphere, it's really on point. This is the kind of place I'll come back to again and again and never get bored with. It's great for sexy late night dates, for early morning feasts, for in between teas. And it's right off of Main Street, so it's in the right place.
(4)
Robin L.
So, for the sake of full transparency, I'll admit that I'm a regular! And I love Cafe Zola's! Here's why: This place is awesome! Wonderful ambiance, delicious food and top-notch service. Yes, it's expensive for sure, but if you're looking for an amazing experience, you just can't beat this place. It's my go to place for brunch, business lunches and dinners and even coffee meetings. They serve fantastic coffee and espresso drinks. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place!
I have been to Zola a dozen times over the years but it seems to have gone down hill fast. Took 20 min to get seated with plenty of tables open. Then it took 15 min before anyone waited on us. We decided to order drinks and food together since we did not know when they would come back. We got our two coffees but my daughters smoothie had to wait. Restaurant service 101... don't bring things out unless everything is ready. Ah wait now I know why... maybe you do not want the coffee to get cold? Too late... coffee cold. Ah will make you a new one.... 15 min later food is gone still no coffee no smoothie, Oh I am so sorry says the waitress... I will comp the drinks and get them to go. 15 min later out come the bill... Where are the drinks? Oh i thought you said take them off the bill. Please just cash me out. Never again. What Crepes it is from now on.
(1)
Mukund R.
I was in Ann Arbor to watch Manchester United play Real Madrid, so we were all in very high spirits when we reached there. There was a wait for about 30 minutes but because of the great reviews here we decided to wait. An hour after we got our table and had coffee multiple times, our hostess comes up to us and tells us that she somehow forgot to put our order in. She seemed to apologize but still gave us a check for our coffee so it's good to know that we spent an hour drinking plain coffee and left hungry and angry. Really disappointed and expected better. My advice to people going there is to keep reminding your server that you're waiting for your food.
(1)
Ed D.
This place was more show then good tasting Food! Great bar tender. I had the Samon hash and my buddy had Turkish eggs an wedding soup. We tried the blooded Mary it was"good". Maybe next year they'll get it right!
(2)
Charles W.
We eat here often. The food is always very good. My wife had the lambchops which are outstanding and I had the salmon which was very good but not really different from other restaurants. Tonight however, the service was very slow. Maybe it was because it was Mother's Day and they were quite busy but the waiter hardly appeared at all.
(3)
Shelia D.
Everyone raved about how amazing this place was. I got there and the wait for the food took forever and when we got the food it was nothing to be impressed about. I mean it was okay but for the price you pay not worth it.
(2)
Joshua A.
While I've heard mixed reviews about Cafe Zola for lunch, My dinner experience there tonight was one of the worst experiences I've ever had at a restaurant! My girlfriend and I showed up on time for our reservations and were seated promptly. We then proceeded to wait at least 10 minutes before a server brought us water and took our drink orders. The restaurant wasn't very busy, and everyone around us was being served so this was unacceptable. After this, the service was generally okay - not friendly, but also not bad. To start we ordered a half dozen oysters on the half-shell. What we received was embarrassing. Three of the six oysters were about a half inch in diameter, so small that you could barely tell that there was an oyster in the shell. The other three where a little over an inch in diameter, still considerably smaller than one would expect. Even overlooking size, the taste of the oysters was bland. I realize that we are in Michigan, but there has to be a quality threshold at which you simply do not serve or charge this much for oysters. For our main courses I ordered the lamb chops, and my girlfriend ordered the ahi tuna. Three lamb chops came out accompanied by cooked spinach and a few pieces of potato. All of the food on the plate was lacking in both quality and flavor. The spinach was over salted and tasted as if it came out of a can. The potato pieces were exactly that, pieces of potato that were boiled with no flavors or spices. While the lamb was medium rare as ordered, it was just as bland as the potatoes, and it was so tough that I struggled to cut it with the provided knife. I could not have given this food less flavor if I had tried. My girlfriend's ahi tuna was even more upsetting. A few small pieces of tuna (probably about 6oz in total) came out on a bed of sugar peas and cherry tomatoes. There was rice on the side. The first thing that was upsetting about the dish was that the tuna was served with a very large amount of wasabi directly on the top, about half as much wasabi as there was tuna. Because it was on the tuna she had to scrape it off before trying the tuna. I do not know anyone who would enjoy this much wasabi on their tuna. The tuna was seared a little bit on the outside as you would expect a good piece of tuna to be served, however it was exceptionally bland. I have had better tuna from cheap sushi places! Searing the tuna should have added flavor, and it added none. The peas and tomatoes were similarly lacking flavor, and they were under cooked. The only slightly redeeming factor of the whole dish is that the rice was good, however it is very upsetting to pay $30 for tuna and only enjoy the rice. Overall neither my girlfriend or I finished our meals. We left after spending $100 (without drinks) on food that we did not enjoy, and that is extremely disappointing. Do not come to Cafe Zola for dinner. You can get better, significantly cheaper food nearly anywhere else in downtown Ann Arbor.
(1)
Smrithi D.
Went to brunch here and loved it! Suprisingly the wait on a sunday afternoon was minimal to none and the waitress was friendly and very helpful. I recommend their fresh carrot juice, its amazing! They crepe I ordered was okay.. nothing to rave about but other breakfast-y brunch items looked delicious! Great place to come with a friend or family, average to slightly expensive pricing but good experience overall!
(4)
Terese C.
The food & service for dinner were great. We were there Parents Weekend, so glad we made reservations weeks ago. It was loud but to be expected for Parents Wknd. The gulf shrimp appetizer was quite tasty. Overpriced for 3 shrimp for $12, though. I got the whole fish & my family ordered the flat iron steak. Both were delicious. We did not get dessert. The Moscow Mule drink I ordered was not all that great. I'd go back.
(4)
Kate S.
Have had brunch here several times. It's a nice menu that is a nice deviation from some of your standard brunch fare. I enjoy it since there are plenty of healthier choices. Prices are a tad on the high side, which is why I deducted a star.
(4)
Diana N.
The food was excellent. Outdoor seating very nice. Service is good as always. My sister and sister in law are in town for a visit. Zola's is go to for breakfast and lunch. First time for dinner...it will not be the last. My guests felt the same.
(5)
Daysy T.
We were visiting Ann Arbor from Seattle over the weekend, a friend recommended them for brunch. We were so I pressed with the food the first day, we decided to return the second day! I'm normally not a dessert person but the crepes and waffles were delicious! They are light with just the right amount of sweetness. Mostly we were impressed by the service, both days were very busy and the staff handled everything professionally and promptly. There was a storm one of the days we were visiting and the next day was really sunny and we really wanted to sit outside, we were willing to wait but instead they brought out a table for us to sit at!!! Amazing. Great food, great service... I highly recommend this place! Try the waffles ;)
(5)
Melanie C.
Came here for brunch. This place is hella busy on the weekends during brunch time..must be the turkish eggs and the french press coffee. I ordered the salmon burger. It came with pommes frites, housemade ketchup, spicy mayonnaise, and citrus chutney. I would have to say, this is one of the better salmon burgers I have ever eaten. The salmon was sauteed to perfection. It was very juicy and paired well with the toppings that came along with the burger: pretzel bun, red chile honey glaze, lettuce, tomato, and even the sweet pickled ginger! It was a bit messy eating it since all the juices kept dripping everywhere (my type of burger :P). The pommes frites was also delicious..crunchy and thin like shoestring fries (my favorite type of fries). The Southwestern Omelette was also good. Never knew how well poblano chiles and creme fraiche tasted in an omelette. The only down side to this omelette was that the ingredients weren't spread out throughout the omelette. Half of it was all sour cream with the roasted peppers and a bit of chorizo, while the other half was chorizo, and pico de gallo. They should try to spread out the sour cream and chorizo more evenly, that way customers can get the best of both worlds. Other than that, I would come back again for brunch. There's so many other dishes I would like to try!
(4)
CV C.
Now I know why all pictures are from their brunch menu: their dinner one is just ok tasting. It's not bad, it's just that, if I'm going to pay this much for the food, I'd expect it to be more than just "I can make this at home for a fifth of the price". I'm curious about their brunch and will be back to check that out. I will, however, not be back for their dinner.
(3)
J H.
The food is good but $14 for an egg bagel is pretty ridiculous. I would probably go there more often if it wasn't so darn expensive.
(3)
Paul S.
This Turkish -French creperie appeared some twenty years ago and it took well with the local population. I wasn't a big crepe fan then, but I did like their omlettes because of the delicate finishing touch: a sprinkling of herbes de Provence. In fact, I plagiarized this touch after I moved away from Ann Arbor. Today I met an old friend for breakfast and we beat the rush by about 40 minutes by getting sat at 9:15 am on a Sunday. My savory filled crepe contained eggs, ham and Harvarti cheese in a whole wheat wrap. Creme fraiche completed the package, however, I spiced it up with the locally produced Clancy's Fancy hot sauce. Excelsior! Coffee is good here too and service was polite and professional. As we wound down it was getting crowded and a line spilled out the door.
(4)
Michael M.
Very nice experience. The problem is, Ann Arbor has such a plethera of top notch restaurants, were this in another city it may be a favorite, however I would say maybe third or fourth favorite in the city. With this said, we had an excellent meal. Cocktails, appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts were all excellent. We had the Miro and Tuna, and both were suberb. Our server was also wonderful, as was the atmosphere of the restaurant. We will most certainly return.
(5)
Joel B.
Ok, look. The food was fine. My omelette tasted fine, but was very plain. Sort of a slab of scrambled eggs folded over some simple ham/sausage things. But, for 13 bucks, I expect an omelet to be a transcendent experience. This one was just ok. Would have been awesome for 6 bucks. My wife has the Turkish breakfast which she enjoyed. But, if you go, the potty has the greatest paper towels. Like drying your hands on the wings of an angel. Astounding in strength, unparalleled in cushionyness, and top notch in absorbency. Worth the overpriced omelette to just feel the paper towels.
(3)
Al M.
Always a great lunch at this popular A-squared institution. Sampled a Kobe burger, a grilled chicken sandwich, and a couple of goat cheese and asparagus omelettes. I'd highly recommend requesting Zola's special-made ketchup condiment with any sandwich you order. It is zesty, spicy-sweet with just a touch of a tangy BBQ sauce. Outstanding! The natural brick walls trimmed with some tasteful art adds to the ambience although it can get a bit loud during the busy lunch hour. Solid 4 big ones.
(4)
Kiva M.
The waffles are absolutely amazing. I go here just for the great waffles with strawberries and bananas. The coffee here is also great! The service here was great but they are usually extremely busy at brunch time so I would plan accordingly.
(4)
Janis M.
The worst experience I have had. I made reservations for 4 at 12:00 noon. Two of my guests had to go to work. After sending back the raw steak salad 3X's we agreed she give up on eating today. The waitress had many excuses, like they were busy. We arrived at 11:45 & few tables were seated. She apologized for ordering the wrong dish but never for the SLOWEST service ever. We left at 3:00. The manager stepped in to explain that the raw meat is considered med-rare even though it was cool & after sending it back we were promised a "new" Plate of food, "they lied". Same cuts of beef & lettuce rearranged Very disappointed & never to return
Came here for a work group dinner tonight. They accommodated us well. The food was delicious! We got bunch of appetizers, most of them are great. Ingot the pan roasted mero with miso for entree. That was one of the best fish dish I've had. The fish is juicy and tender, feels like it melts in your month delicious!! But the portion of the dish seems a little on the small side. I would definitely go back again just for that dish.
(5)
Dug S.
Hands-down best, and appropriately, most expensive fancypants brunchy place in town. Zola is the regular morning spot for the politicos, buttoned-up business folks, laid-back tech founders and funders, and other well-heeled types in town. Staples of the Zola experience: great, endless coffee; appallingly huge portions; herbed, crispy potatoes and monster omelettes and waffles; Zingermans bread as "toast" with creamy, whipped herbed butter; attentive, super-accommodating service (anything you want, any way you want it, if they possibly can). Atmosphere here is like a Pixies song - quiet, LOUD, quiet, LOUD - tranquil early-morning and mid-afternoon, but shouting-match volume with a full house. Tables are crammed together in an open floor plan, so don't expect a lot of privacy - this is the kind of place people come to see and be seen, in a glad-handing business context (Sweetwaters across the street has played matchmaker to more of the singles coffee club). Parking is surprisingly easy right in front before 9, and there's the big city surface lot across the street. There are plenty of times I prefer to skate down the block to the Fleetwood for hippie hash, endless donut shop style coffee, and a different kind of community - but this is usually well after midnight, soused, with ears ringing from a show or after the annual Punk Week shopping cart races that start there. Still, Zola's never thrown me out skateboarding in off the street with my backpack, or grabbing an outdoor table with other grimy, sweaty dudes. If you're looking for a nice place to entertain guests, or hide out for a minute and treat yourself to a Zen morning at dawn at one of the two isolated two-tops by the windows, or the corner spot at the bar), well, you'll be fighting me for it.
(5)
Ben U.
Absolutely amazing! Go for the omelettes, guaranteed satisfaction every time! Kind of pricy but ensures quality! 10/10
Finally- a restaurant in A2 worthy of 5 stars! My fiance is from Ann Arbor and lives very close to here, so we came here for Sunday brunch last weekend. We arrived around 10 AM, so although it was starting to get crowded, we were seated right away. The hostess was pretty curt, but luckily getting seated was our only interaction with her. We sat inside (outside was totally full, and the outdoor seating is pretty much all two-tops). We started with coffees for the ladies and a spicy bloody mary for the man. The coffee was good and the waiter brought us our own creamers without asking, which I really appreciated. Neither of us take sugar, but we do like cream! My fiance enjoyed his bloody mary, and was pleasantly surprised that he could actually taste the heat. My fiance got the American breakfast (he was a bit disappointed to see no classic eggs benedict on the menu. With a shellfish allergy, he can't partake of their crab cake version!) His disappointed ended when they brought his eggs, potatoes and sausage to him, though! The sausage was particularly good, as it was much larger and more flavorful than traditional breakfast sausage. His mom ordered the Shakshuka, and she also enjoyed it. It was a bit on the spicy side, but she ate every last bite! I ordered the Turkish brunch, which was the absolute highlight of the meal. The dish is beautifully composed on a large plate, with two types of cheese, olives, a hard-boiled egg, dolmas, and tomatoes and cucumbers. It comes with an entire basket of delicious, fresh-baked bread, complete with butter and fig jam. The feta cheese was creamy and deliciously briny, and went beautifully with the fig jam. There was an enormous cinnamon roll in the breadbasket, which the fiance devoured as his breakfast dessert. I strongly recommend Cafe Zola, and hope to return the next time we're in town!
(5)
Amy C.
Fantastic brunch spot. I've been to almost all the brunch spots in Ann Arbor and Cafe Zola is a standout. The restaurant is hip, trendy, with a mellow ambiance. A solid place for large and small groups, but it'd be a good idea to make a reservation in advance since they get pretty busy, especially on the weekends. I've tried several things on their menu-- from their famous crepes to waffles to omelettes to even their Turkish eggs-- and Cafe Zola delivered every time. All the classic brunch items like crepes and waffles come in huge portions, but that doesn't mean Cafe Zola sacrifices on quality. The food is made with superior ingredients and has always been immaculately presented. Additionally, I really appreciate their diverse menu, in which I was pretty surprised to find Turkish eggs listed. As far as I could tell, they tasted authentic, proving that Cafe Zola can do it all, and do it well.
(4)
Jeff N.
This place really lives up to it's reputation. The food and service were both excellent and I will return next time I am in Ann Arbor.
(5)
Anika P.
Nothing special, way overpriced.....we had a salmon crepe, which was barely any food, the salmon was good but the whole dish was not worth the price....the omelette didn't have anything besides the minimum sausage, the peanut butter smoothie was good, the berry one was eh. Will not return.
(2)
Magnus L.
I came here for lunch in the middle of the week, the place was packed. We didn't have to wait long to be seated. We had a big party, most seemed to order their breakfast dishes and were very happy. I ordered the love burger with fries. The burger was really good, juicy with lots of flavor. The burger came with several dips on the side that was really good. The fries very really good as well. Service was great throughout the meal, I will definitely come back here.
(4)
Maisie W.
The hostess did not give a reliable wait time for a table which is disingenuous and annoying and most importantly--poor hospitality. It was a busy brunch service and they were slammed--as they always are--but being honest with guests to say, "it will be at least 20 minutes, would you like to leave a number so we can call you?" at the time we first put our name down would have at least given us the chance to stroll around while we waited. Instead we waited impatiently, getting more and more frustrated and angry that our table was "almost ready, just a few more minutes." Next time please just be real.
(1)
Ana N.
Went for brunch - terrible and rude service, the food was extremely average and they messed up the order! Sent it back and received the same thing again so just left it. Such a shame because I'd heard great things - don't bother.
(1)
Vivienne D.
Went for lunch on a superrrr busy day. I expected a wait time for 2 people, but we were seated right away. The atmosphere is super chill and lively, place looked really clean as well! The menu is very complete, they offer omelets, crepes, platters, salads, sandwiches.. everything you could ever ask for! They even have a wide selection of teas and coffees if you desire a liquid accommodation. Food: Ordered salmon cake, grilled veggie salad, mushroom crepe (I forgot the true name.. but ordered it through recommendations on yelp) My partner told me his salmon cake could have used a bit more seasoning and I agreed. It was nice and moist, but a bit one dimensional in terms of flavor. The eggs were perfectly cooked though. I ordered the grilled veggie salad (because I am a health nut..) and it was PERFECT.. the dressing that went with it was delicious and balanced and the veggies were so flavorful. I dream of this salad... The mushroom crepe was nice!... Wasn't what I expected but I am glad I tried it out. The filling was 95% mushroom and had a exquisite white wine sauce with it (i think.) Maybe I am used to softer sweet crepes, but the savory crepe was pretty sturdy and hard. Very interesting flavors, try it out! crusty Bread + herb butter = super win. crusty bread+ herb butter+ jam = epic win. I wish I could have tried the coffee, but they seemed so busy I didn't want to bother them! Try this place out, it's lovely!
(4)
Rebecca S.
Had breakfast here for the first time. Nice atmosphere, clean. The menu is extensive and all sounded quite good. The two of us each got an egg dish (frittata and omelette). And they were good. I felt the frittata needed an added texture-creamy goat cheese and creamy sweet pots...maybe pine nuts? I don't know, but a crunch perhaps. The artichoke omelette was perfect. We shared a crepe. The Normandie was good in concept but the actual crepe was a bit tough and chewy, not tender. Filling and toppings were yum. Drinks were good. OJ, coffee, and an out of this world smoothie with OJ, carrot and mango. Overall a good meal with good portion sizes, albeit very pricey.
(4)
Dawn C.
Leave your budget at the door and GO FOR IT. One crepe is not going to fill anybody up, so you're going to need to order something else too.... oh but that one crepe will be super good, so you can't skip it. I tried the champignon crepe (mushroom savory) and wished it was bigger the moment I tasted it. Lots of mushrooms! Delicious! The waffle "a la gabus" with chocolate hazelnut drizzle, raspberry drizzle, whipped cream and ice cream was a great accompaniment. Though I was sad the crepe was all gone, I could now drown my sorrows in ice cream - for brunch! I leaned over to whisper to my friend that the first thing I would do when I got home would be to throw away my waffle maker. It doesn't make crispy edges, and I now realize that it's been letting me down for years. Goodbye waffle iron. It's you, not me. Thank you Cafe Zola for this moment of self discovery. Crowded! Our group of 8 had a reservation and would not have stood a chance to just show up unannounced and get a table.
(4)
Kathy T.
I have never loved a Shrimp Taco more then I do here at Cafe Zola in Ann Arbor! Every single time I come here the associates greet me with a smile and already know my order! Their ketchup is also very unique - It is homemade and you can't find it anywhere else. Delightful with a sandwich or an asparagus omelette!
(5)
Hannah S.
My boyfriend wanted to get blintzed out, and well, Cafe Zola sealed the deal with their blueberry blintze style crepe! The sweet farmer cheese, coupled with the sweet blueberries and fresh cream sauce was magical. He also got a side of polish sausage, which he thought was pretty good, but it was $4.75 for 2 pieces, so probably wouldn't do that again. I got the Normandie crepe, which was a cinnamon apple, walnut & cranberry crepe with fresh whipped creme. I really enjoyed it, but I was hoping that there would have been some sort of saucy component to pull it all together. It was a tad more than $10, which for me is steep, but it was good. Not as good as boyfriend's blintze crepe though! I also got a side of bacon, also $4.75, for 3 thick pieces. Standard fair bacon, and cooked crunchy how I like it, but nothing wowing. I also got a side of rosemary potatoes, which was a mixture of awesome, undercooked, and burnt. I think they were about $3.50 for a pretty decent mound of potato, so a better deal than the bacon or sausage for sure. I ended up paying about $25 for breakfast, which is highly unusual, and I don't think the food deserved the price, though it was pretty darn tasty! There is metered parking on the street, and parking structures just a block or two away. Service was fast and friendly, though we were the first ones inside at 7 am so that might be the case! (according to other slow-related service reviews). Overall, I enjoy Afternoon Delight or The Broken Egg more, but for sweet desserty breakfast, this may be exactly the place you want to go.
(4)
Jeff B.
A fun brunch place in downtown Ann Arbor. We went for brunch on a Saturday morning around noon so naturally there was a bit of a wait! However they moved through the list fairly quickly and efficiently. Seating was tight but again, as to be expected at weekend brunch. The food here was good and everyone seemed to enjoy it. It's a bit pricey which sets your expectations high, but it was good. I had one of their omelettes and it was pretty big! But, an omelette is never a very impressive thing! (I'll have to try something else next time) A bunch of people with us ordered crepes and they looked delicious! The staff was also very nice. Our waitress was constantly refilling coffee and water and she kept an engaging and fun attitude. The food came out pretty quickly as well! I look forward to going back and trying out some of their other dishes!
(4)
Mike K.
Maybe it's restaurant week. Maybe the staff was hassled and the cooks were slow. My wife and I went on a Tuesday during Restaurant Week and Zola's came up less than impressive. I'd think a featured eating location would be ready to go with their food. The potatoes everyone said was good? They're out. Oooh, mussles! No, sorry, we don't have those. Well, can we get calamari? Nope, that gone too. Well..... here, have some white rice. The 45 minute wait for the apps was okay because the weather was beautiful. Our server seemed stressed and she was dealing with some things. We're patient but I certainly didn't have 90 dollars of fun. Maybe it's better as a breakfast place or when it's a regular business week. It felt like forever to get food, half the food reasons we went were gone, and... well, eh. I don't know if we're going back to try it again. I was underwhelmed.
(2)
Katherine S.
Everything I've had here is amazing. It's a bit in the pricey side so not somewhere we go weekly, but definitely head out here to treat ourselves! Zola's Crab Cake Benedict is my absolute favorite.
(5)
Brock H.
Had brunch here while passing through Ann Arbor. Everything was excellent. We had open-faced omelettes -- one with sweet potatoes and caramelized onions, topped with challah croutons, avocado and goat cheese; the other with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, green beans, potatoes, and red onions topped with Vermont cheddar cheese and avocado. The eggs were perfectly cooked and the toppings applied in perfect proportions - something I can't say for many of the open-faced omelettes (or frittatas) I've had at other establishments.
(5)
Mike S.
The food was excellent. The side of syrup I ordered was $3.50... I mean, common - that is highway robbery. 1 star for prices. 5 stars for food.
(3)
D B.
I've come in for brunch a couple of times, and everything is so yummy. If there is one irksome aspect to the brunch, it's the extra charge for maple syrup. It's like a checked baggage fee. It makes you chose between a less pleasant experience or an overly high charge.
(4)
Sarah F.
Quick Tip: Go and get the waffle! Good casual place for breakfast. Service was slow, but it was also a Sunday, so a bit understandable. One of us got the classic waffle and the other the Farmhouse omelet. Both were good. The eggs on the outside of the omelet were a bit overcooked. The waffle was amazing. It is light, fluffy, and sweet! Added bonus: they serve french press pots of coffee Pro: good food, french press coffee Cons: slow service
(4)
Emily W.
One of the few places to serve reliably good, interesting food in Ann Arbor. Always a good pick.
(4)
Linda L.
a good place for brunch and lunch. locates in downtown Ann Arbor. Sometimes you need to wait for seats. The dishes are good, but in fact, as I am not so familiar with those cookings, so it is hard for me to tell whether it is real good or not. I just know the vegetables in salad are fresh , better than those apple bee-ones. the omelette tastes not too salty nor too mild nor strange . So I believe it is a good omelette. The potato along with omelette has skin on. I am a little upset of the potato skin. but maybe it is the right way to cook potatoes. I haven't tried many courses on menu. So far as I know, it is good.
(4)
Emily L.
Awesome awesome awesome! I loved this cozy brunch spot for a mid week brunch setting. The coffee was delicious and the waitress was knowledgeable about the assortment of teas. I had the Turkish eggs with a blueberry muffin (fresh from zingermans!) and both were incredible.
(5)
Todd R.
This place is really good and it had good service. It wasn't really kid friendly though.
(5)
Lauren T.
I lived in Ann Arbor for a few years and Zola was always one of my favorite places to go for brunch on the weekend. Two years ago I moved to Detroit and don't get back to AA all that often, so I was thrilled when I found myself there, yesterday, and decided to go there for a late breakfast. Oh, wow, Zola, things have gone downhill ... My husband ordered the Florentine crepe and I ordered the Americana breakfast with breakfast sausage. While my eggs and potatoes were fine, the sausage was way too well-done and hard (and it may have been my imagination, but it also seemed like the portion size had decreased since my last visit a couple of years ago). I was actually somewhat surprised that they had served it to me. My husband, who is normally not picky in the least, didn't even finish his crepe. We were expecting a creamy, cheesy, spinach crepe. Instead, it was boiled spinach with a slight drizzle of creme fraiche. The spinach had zero seasoning and was bland beyond belief. Taking solace in the fact that at least there was bread and butter and coffee, I slathered some herb butter on the crusty bread. Even the butter was bad -- bland, unsalted, and seemed slightly rancid. i always raved about Zola whenever given the chance. Sadly, those days are over. Afterwards, we salvaged the day by going across the street to Frita Batidos for a passion fruit batido and a walk around the Arb to help us forget about the bland, boring, overcooked meal we had just experienced.
(2)
Jenne E.
Good food. Smaller portions, salmon and crab cakes are excellent. The apple pie dessert is delicious
(4)
Elçin H.
I came here with my mom for Mother's Day. We sat outside. An overall, great place. Friendly, casual atmosphere and great food!
(5)
Rachel A.
I've been coming here for 12 years now and it's still one of my favorite downtown Ann Arbor spots. I can say with certainty that I've never had a bad meal here, and I've had many dinners and brunches over the years. I've always had good, attentive service and the servers always are well versed on the menu. My personal favorite for dinner - the Chimichurri Tango, which I has recently been renamed, simply, "flat iron steak". Different name, same delicious meal. For brunch, I always end up getting one of the omelettes, although Zola is well known for crepes. I can't pass up a good omelette!
(5)
Nicole W.
I never leave a work trip underfed. Malnourished is never going to happen to this girl. Yelp Community Managers are *the absolute best* food guides in their city and Annette J certainly did not disappoint! Cafe Zola is a beautiful and delicious stop in Ann Arbor. Filled with friendly staff, plenty of light, and cozy surroundings, it's a lovely spot for a cup o' joe or a full on brunch experience. The menu is stuffed with sweet and savory options, offering something for just about any craving. After much deliberation between the savory or sweet, I went with the strawberry banana crepe to accompany my cool and tasty decaf iced Americano. The crepe offered a beautiful texture and tons of fresh fruit. And while the crepe was indeed tasty, my side order of Edward's sausage knocked my socks off. I don't know how Edward makes that sausage so flavorful and nitrate free, but man he does it. Normally I'm not crazy about breakfast sausage, but this one is bursting with flavor that it's a must to offering a yang to the sweet crepe. When I find myself in Ann Arbor again, I'll definitely make time to visit Cafe Zola!
(4)
Maggi I.
Make no mistake: I go to Zola for the crepes. It's #3 on my list of breakfast places in Ann Arbor. Their breakfast dishes are plentiful and delicious, made with fresh ingredients. They have great tea and smoothies and their breakfast potatoes are not fried. There are too many good things on the menu to list suggestions, but the Frittata Zola is fantastic. On weekend mornings, Zola is loud and crowded. The seating is not very comfortable. I still go on weekends sometimes, but I'm more likely to be found there weekday mornings before work with one savory and one sweet crepe.
(4)
Megan K.
This is my favorite brunch / lunch spot in Ann Arbor. Every time I go, I plan to order the Turkish breakfast and then hope that someone else orders the salad trio so that I can share, and then, when I get my wish, I don't want to share and get territorial over all of the delicious cheese and pastries. Yum.
(4)
Alex E.
I've decided I need to start normalizing by Ann Arbor. Cafe Zola's food is perfectly acceptable, as opposed to my previous rating of 2 stars. Nothing (to me) really stands out as super amazing, but everything was cooked just fine and none of the sauces detracted from their dish (as it should). Yes, it's pricey, but there's a slew of other restaurants on Main/Liberty/Washington that are just as pricey and not as good. I haven't been to brunch, so I can't speak to that.
(3)
Amy D.
Ann Arbor hosts a plethora of weekend brunch spots, and according to fellow Yelpers, Cafe Zola is the place to partake in this end of the week reward. We dined here on the Easter wknd, and we were lucky enough to be seated immediately. We opted out of getting a drink, but i was very impressed with their selection of beverages, alcoholic or non. I chose the Strawberry Banana crepe with freshly sliced strawberries, served with Michigan maple syrup and crème Chantilly. Since i do not like bananas, our server was kind enough to make the crepe exclusively with strawberries at no extra charge. Being from Canada, i am biased to our maple syrup, but there is something about Michigan Maple, it is delicious, i came home from this trip with two bottles in tow. My crepe was tender, and the Chantilly was a nice welcome to the standard whipped cream. My only complaint was the disbursement of the strawberries, they were all in the middle and none around the border. I simply opened up the crepe and moved the fruit around to ensure a strawberry in each bite. My sis had the Strawberry-Banana Delight waffle with fresh strawberries, bananas, crème Chantilly and Michigan maple syrup. I love how they make their waffles with Greek yogurt, it was original and it added a slight tanginess to the waffle. Overall it was slightly crisp, and was topped with the freshest fruit, and real Maple syrup. Overall, when you come to Zola's you can expect a tasty well executed meal using really fresh ingredients. I cannot wait to come here next year and try their Turkish breakfast.
(3)
claudia l.
Yes, the food is great and our waiter was wonderful but do not take you elderly mother there on Mother's Day. I made a reservation weeks ahead of time but we still waited over 30 minutes to be seated. The worst part was my poor mother was smashed against a very crowded bar and banged about by people sitting at the bar. I asked the people at the desk to find a place for my mother to sit several times . . . .all ignored. Great food . . must be a friend of the owner to be seated quickly.
(2)
Javier G.
Had the french toast. Nice portions, tasted pretty good, but it was pretty pricy ($12??). Angelo's has comparable if not better french toast for a few bucks less.
(3)
Marla S.
Great service!! Went here for my birthday dinner a couple of nights ago. Not only was the waitstaff very attentive but the food was amazing!! I had the sea bass but everyone else I was with had great meals as well (salmon burger, pasta, steack). Also, they gave me a free birthday dessert (banana nutella crepe) which was AMAZING!!
(5)
M. S.
I should start by saying that I love the food & ambiance at Zola and often choose to go there for special occasions, but on my latest trip there on Sunday, I was a little disappointed with our experience. It seems like Zola's become a victim of its own success in some ways. I was seated at a table where I kept getting jostled by people going by; it seems like they should take out one table to avoid packing people in like sardines. The service was very nice, but toward the end of our time there, we started getting the hustle to give up the table (and we had only been there for an hour and fifteen minutes). Three different people, none of whom was our server, asked us if we needed a box for our food within the course of two minutes, and one woman brusquely cleared the water glasses off the table as we were about to leave but still seated. Meanwhile, they were so busy that requests for things like a knife, etc, went unheeded. I know Zola is busy on weekends and they wanted the table for the next set of customers, but it still left kind of a bad taste in my mouth. I don't go out for brunch often, but when I do, I like to be relaxed and not hurried out. Furthermore, I'm sensitive to the fact that we shouldn't take up tables all day. However, I think this was a case where they were so focused on getting the next round of customers seated that they were rude to ones who were already there. It's too bad, and I hope that they address this issue with their staff, as I really do love to come to this restaurant.
(4)
Joan G.
Too much people, so u should not expect too much attention. Great snowball waffles with the best ice cream as topping. And the coffee mocha was fabulous! However, I did not enjoy the smoked salmon omelette.
(4)
Derek R.
We were here for a Sunday brunch and ended up waiting for almost double their estimated time due to several large parties that showed up around the same time we did. I felt kind of bad for some of the large parties as the owner/manager (?) was remarkably rude to customers waiting for tables. One gentleman in the waiting area had a bloody mary spilled on his camel colored jacket by a member of the waitstaff, which happens sometimes in a busy restaurant, but the woman in charge seemed put off by the fact that he was upset about it. She just handled it really poorly. So, while the personality of the restaurant left a lot to be desired, the food was decent. Nothing special and not terribly different from food that can be had elsewhere in Ann Arbor for vastly less money. We had a party of three, one of whom is five years old, and the bill came to about $65 (with no alcohol and before the tip!) which is highway robbery when you take into account the lousy environment, middling food, and exceedingly long wait. Needless to say I will not be going back. I've been here twice and both times were ruined by my experiences with the same manager/owner woman. She takes her customers for granted and treats them like an inconvenience. I cannot repeat it enough; avoid this place at all costs.
(1)
Badrul F.
I like the ambiance. I don't really believe the price is justified, though. Food has been great every time, though.
(4)
Joe H.
Review #100! My brother goes to U of M. Sometimes he needs a ride home and make the 60 minute drive to pick him up. Usually we go in the evening, make a dinner trip to Zingerman's Roadhouse or Jolly Pumpkin, but I now have a reason to pick him up in the morning. Thanks to the mostly positive reviews, I made sure we were visiting Zola. A Turkish breakfast spot? How could I say no. On top of that, my dad was with us and he likes to try multiple items at new places. The menu is extensive. Lots of goodies to try... First of all, French press coffee. Wow. The Ethiopian variety served that morning was incredibly rich and a had faint cinnamon flavor. So good. I ordered the Turkish eggs. Baked sunny side up eggs, French feta, and sauteed spinach served with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. On the side, I had chorizo. Many layers of flavor. Perfectly cooked eggs with creamy yolk, briny/tangy feta, earthy/sweet spinach, and super fresh cukes & tomatoes. All elements accentuate each other. Salty & spicy chorizo was an excellent compliment to the fresh, rich eggs. Other dishes sampled: excellent thick cut bacon incredible breakfast sausage (as an aside, I was incredibly disappointed that they were out of the locally made Polish sausage - oh well, a reason to return) spiced fruit & strawberry-banana waffles - the waffles have amazing texture and the toppings are fresh and amazingly flavorful Frittata Zola: an interesting mix of sweet, tangy, savory, and texturally complex French toast: even a simple dish like French toast is elevated here. Using Zingerman's bread helps, but the spicing is perfect with subtle sweetness. We waited nearly 30 minutes for a table at 10:00. When we left, it appeared that the wait time had increased considerably, but the wait is most definitely worth it. I would recommend everything we tried, but if I had to order one dish again it would be the Turkish eggs. Quite simply one of the best breakfasts around - period.
Get there early for Sunday brunch. At 9:30: you sit right down. At 10:30: you wait for 30-45 minutes. The press pot of coffee was fantastic - We got the house Sumatran, but a lot of other choices were available (Ethiopian, Mexican, and on and on). I am not a sweets-for-breakfast sort of guy, but I am tempted to return soon for crepes or waffles. The menu looked fantastic. This time, I got the Turkish Eggs and they were done perfectly -- the menu says baked sunny side up, but think poached medium (without being watery at all). Served with the best tomato and cucumber I have had in a restaurant in ages - they actually tasted like they were from an heirloom garden. The bed of spinach, feta cheese, and olives balanced the sweetness of the tomato and cucumber. The thick crunchy sesame seed toast with herbed butter rounded things out. Just real good. Real real good. $40 for two breakfasts (including tip) makes this a once a year treat for this diner, but worth it every time.
(5)
Ian S.
Have not been here for breakfast or brunch, but we ate dinner here on a Saturday night. It was a lively, hip atmosphere. The service was a little slow at first as the restaurant very crowded, but still on point. The appetizer (Lamb Kofta) was quite delicious and had an even more delicious mint yogurt sauced. After the Lamb was gone, my wife and I scraped up every last morsel of the sauce with bread provided on the table. The house salad was simple but good, with a light dressing and interesting flavor combinations (fennel, pomegranate, tangy vinaigrette). My wife had the ravioli for her entree, which had a delicious filling of goat cheese and a huge piece of well cooked (medium) salmon. The only complaint here was that a few of raviolis were a tad underdone, but she still finished what she could of the huge portion. My Hawaiian Sea Bass was delicately grilled and coated with a sweet Miso glaze - not overly sweet. It was served alond side some nicely sauteed, slightly bitter broccolini which provided a nice contrast in flavor to the sweeter fish. Although simple and plain, the jasmine rice perfectly soaked up the rest of the miso glaze left behind from the fish. For dessert we had a failry standard, but good creme brulee - which was supposed to be cinnamon flavored, but I could not taste over my glass of scotch. Overall, the hip type of place I would expect in Downtown Ann Arbor and didn't disappoint. We will be back to try brunch/breakfast and would eat dinner again for sure.
(4)
Brian G.
This place could be good, but their prices are just outrageous. I guess they can away with it because there is often a line of folks waiting, and there are such slim pickings in Ann Arbor. My home base is in Houston - they would be out of business in a minute in TX. So I had an omelette (the house special plus avocado - it was OK not great by any means), my wife had the basic PLAIN waffle (she left half of it because it was dry) plus a side of bacon. I had a simple coffee (NOT latte or cappucino), my wife had a decaf tea. Thats is all, nothing else, nada. Including the standard 15% tip - $49 my friends - YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!!! - in the midwest, in the middle of a deep recession $50 for an omelette and a plain waffle with bacon. WHAT!!!!????
(2)
Jeff B.
Not great, and certainly not worth the $95+ we spent. Food was fine but nothing very special or outstanding about the experience
(2)
Trevor M.
The brunch menu was really extensive and I usually hate huge menus but it was needed for what they offer. It is all really good food and recommend the crab cake eggs benedict, it is insanely good. I have eaten here in the evening before as well, and still talk about the octopus I had there
(4)
Alejandro B.
Great food and nice atmosphere. They prepare eggs in a thousand different ways. Had the Salmon Hash with Yukon Gold Potatoes and Horseradish sauce and two eggs. Really tasty! Definitely worth checking out (and enduring the wait for a table). You won't be disappointed.
I like the trend of this place... they try to use local and/or organic ingredients... I got the artichoke baked omelet and I wasn't really a fan (and they didn't serve fresh artichoke, it was from the jar)...baking the omelet made the eggs dry and it was more like a pie. My friends ordered the chicken sandwich, crepes and the All Americana, and they enjoyed it.
(3)
I G.
Well what can I say...for the price it's all hype. Food is ok. If you want to spend this kind of money I would suggest Zingermans Road House. I ordered the Kobe Burger and it was ok but didn't leave me saying, this was a $13.95 burger!! My wife ordered the Grilled Chicken sandwich which she thought was good. However we noticed some tables with baskets of bread. I asked a young gentleman If the bread comes with certain dishes and he replied "no it's for tables with four or more". Well we saw a table with three that had the bread. Also why only tables with four or more? With the prices of the meals you certainly should give complimentary bread baskets. Just to add Zingermans Road House will give you as much bread as you want!!
(2)
Maria M.
My best friend was in town and we decided to try Cafe Zola and it was great! We both really enjoyed our meal and the delicious coffee. The cafe itself is a little crowded, the servers had bumped into my chair a few times, but it does look very cute and trendy in there! We went there on a Sunday and got there at 9:30 and we were seated pretty quickly. When we left at around 10:45 it was PACKED and a very long wait! It is pretty pricey, especially for breakfast food, so I would probably only go back for special occasions, not many students can afford a $14 breakfast. Our server was very nice and made great recommendations. Overall it was a nice place to take a friend visiting from out of town :) Just get there early on weekends for breakfast!
(4)
Michael G.
Had a great post Michigan commencement brunch. All 7 of us thoroughly enjoyed our meal and, despite being ultra busy, our waitperson was friendly, helpful and patient (many in our party asked for modifications of a menu item. I ordered the frittata on the menu, with spinach added at the suggestion of our waitperson. It was outstanding and was served with perfectly browned red potatoes seasoned liberally with rosemary. I also tasted the red lentil soup which was thick and savory. I wish we has more opportunities to visit AA so we could head back to Cafe Zola.
(5)
Liz W.
Yes it was a bit spendier than some places and yep the service was none too speedy but seriously, I think it is good food and I am no yuppie. We needed to get out a bit, I wanted a nice place to take my mom, who can occasionally be picky. A ladies lunch/brunch if you will. One should take time to enjoy a decent day in Michigan. I warned her the service here was iffy according to some but we were not at peak hours (after lunch rush) and we had nothing but time on our hands. We decided why not... Our server was actually very charming and we liked the atmosphere. We split a smoked salmon omelette and a roasted vegetable salad. Both were made with quality ingredients and were delicious. I loved the turkish vinaigrette. I also loved sharing as it made deciding what to get oh so much easier... We both had pots of tea. I will give any restaurant that makes a nice pot of tea for me kudos. The oolong was perfectly brewed and heavenly. My mom seemed very happy with the darjeeling. We were both sad to be filled up by lunch, I think the blintz crepe was on both our minds...farmer's cheese and cherries. Yeah that would be a way to make a woman in my family happy. All in all a charming experience. I think it helped matters that they were not hugely busy and that we were not in a big rush or on any type of budget.
Excellent crepes, good, strong coffee, fair service -- tough to beat. We haven't tried the rest of the menu yet, but I have no reason to believe it is any less stellar. Probably the best brunch food we've had in A2, and among the best I've ever had. Even with the weekend crowds, we got a table in 20 min (no reservations) and were served promptly.
(5)
Bob G.
My daughter is a graduate student at University of Michigan. She recommended Cafe Zola for a family dinner. We made a 7 pm reservation and were very hungry after a day of touring the school for my younger daughter who is considering applying as an undergraduate at University of Michigan. The hostess offered us the table for 4 next to the door. It was a very cold area with the door constantly being opened by customers. It also is so close to the hostess that it is more or less part of the waiting area for customers waiting for a table. We asked to wait for the next table in the main part of the restaurant. The hostess rather snidely told my wife that the next table wouldn't be open for 1-1/2 hours. This certainly was a lie and a means to force us to take the table near the door. Despite our unhappiness, we tried the table. It became clear rather quickly that it wasn't going to work for us. We asked again and the hostess repeated her lie that there were no tables other than a table for 2 where she would stuff us in. The hostess became even ruder. I told my wife and kids to find another restaurant while I chatted with the manager. I waited 10 minutes for the manager, who apparently was serving tables. She never came to see me which left me in the waiting area grumbling to the other customers. I must say that it couldn't have been handled any worse. I left quite angry. I never write restaurant reviews on blogs. However, this terrible customer service deserves making an exception.
(1)
Ryan B.
Yes, this is the best brunch in A2! When first entering, I was stunned by the atmosphere. Bright light floods the dining room bringing the red out of brick walls and arches. Then I had their coffee which not only was actually fresh but was constantly refilled by waitstaff with cute little vials in hand. Then I enjoyed the best omelet I've ever had, the Frittata Zola. Not only have I never had anything like it, but I've never heard of anything like it. The portion was huge, came with a side of the best redskin potatoes I've ever tasted and also herb buttered whole grain toast. I was full the rest of the day. It seems the common complaint is the prices and the wait. I had no problem getting a table and thought the prices were well worth the quality of the food. If you're looking for a quick buttermilk pancake and standard cup of coffee, this is not your place. But if you're in for a classy cafe with zesty flavors, unique combinations and incomparable quality prepare yourself for Cafe Zola!
(5)
Jason C.
This place has some great food but it's very expensive!
(4)
Wade D.
How many wonderful things can I fit into a review. Crepes, omelets, french press coffee, blood orange mimosas... I think the short list would be negative comments. It's kinda pricey. But soooo worth it!
(5)
Eric B.
The closest thing to a big city brunch you'll get in ann arbor, and they do a solid job. If you're looking for a french press full of Blue mountain or Kona coffee with whatever omlet, crepe, pancakes or untraditional breakfast item (like turkish eggs), this is your place and you will not be dissapointed. The environment is upscale without being too pretentious, making it my favorite upscale restaurant in town. It is also my go to place for steak in Ann Arbor!
(5)
Aaron B.
This is really the kind of place I like, but this particular version is no good. They try REALLY HARD to make their food different and "special" but my experiences have been disappointing. I'm sure the yokels think it's something amazing and new and all the crap that Ann Arborittes say to make themselves feel good about living in that worthless piss-hole village, but it's mostly hype and little substance. Add on top of that the fact that the places is typically loud and uncomfortable, with sketchy service. Again, average for Ann Arbor, but there are better places of this kind in any real city that you'd go to...and the same kind of place with better food and a better atmosphere would be cheaper in a city too.
(2)
Kathy L.
I'm a sucker for both asparagus and sunny-side-up eggs with toast, so I ordered the special which included those things, even though it cost $11.39. I was shocked and dismayed when my waitress brought me a plate with ~5 stalks of asparagus underneath two eggs, and some slices of bread which were probably from a loaf that was $1 at Kroger. $11.39 + tax. There wasn't anything special about it. Some people are willing to pay that, I guess (there was quite a wait to get seated), but not I, when I have the Northside Grill right down the street. Actually, the special came with potatoes too, but my server forgot to bring them to me until I finally got a hold of her (when we were finished eating), and she didn't give us a discount (in fact, barely an apology).
(2)
C B.
This was my first visit to cafe zola and after looking at the menu while waiting I was very very excited. I wanted to sit all day and try most everything. The fact that there was such a long wait was also making me think I was in for the best food of my life. I wish it was! I had the farmhouse omelette-it was beautiful and there seemed to be enough filling. The ruiner-nothing was seasoned! It was bland egg wrapping olive oiled veggies, ham, and some cheese. I used ketchup to give it some flavor it needed and ate about half preferring to go for the bread basket w/ the wonderful strawberry preserves. The redskin potatoes were also just good-they were very olive oily that could of used a couple more minutes of cooking time. i did start with tomato bisque soup though and that blew my mind. so. so so good. that tipped the scales for sure. Why am i giving it 3 stars-i would totally go there again! if i do and it's the same experience i would most likely change my rating to a 2. but as of now the soup and bread along w/ experience is keeping cafe zola a positive memory!
(3)
Ms.Brie C.
First time at Cafe Zola. My crepe was excellent, just as expected. My companion's salad looked quite good but we were put off by added costs, $ for tomatoes, $ for cucumbers. Since when are salads treated like pizzas? The server was not particularly friendly when we inquired if the salad toppings cost extra. Also, the smoothies sounded appealing until I noticed they were ~$7 (I'll save my funds for an affordable one at Smoothie King, thank you very much). I'd consider returning, if I could afford it.
(3)
Max M.
While I can agree with many folks here about the quality of service (excellent) and the quality of the food (also excellent-GREAT brewed coffee), the reason for the 3 stars is because of the overwhelming amount of noise in the restaurant. It was really overwhelming to the point where it was difficult to hear the person sitting very close next to me. That was very distracting for me, and took away from the dining experience. We were also there with a 1 year old, who was completely over stimulated - so we spent a lot of time taking her for walks out side to not add her discomfort to the cacophony. Again, food excellent. We were there for Sunday Brunch - even with a reservation (which I am surprised they provide on a Sunday Brunch). I had an Americano Breakfast, my partner had an omelette of some sort. I had about the best cup of brewed coffee ever at a breakfast place - that was always filled, so the service was exceptional. It was a bit pricey - $12.00 for two eggs, tomatoes and some potatoes - and my exceptional but basic brewed coffee was $4.50 (wow!). We were also there with about 8 other people so it got unwieldy.
(3)
Ian P.
Me: What coffee do you have today? Waitress: Brazilian, Ethiopian, Kenyan... Me: Where in Ethiopia is it from? Waitress: Look of shear terror and confusion (thinks what kind of freak asks this question)...runs off to ask. Coffee: Absolutely amazing Ethiopian Harrar (waitress told me Harupa lol). Actually the coffee was the best coffee I've had in the last 6 months. So this place gets some mad props for that. I was there at brunch and also had a Belgian waffle made with buckwheat which was quite tasty. My hetero friend couldn't stop raving about how hot the waitress was. I definitely felt like they were rushing me out though and I hate that! I wasn't going to linger all day, but I did want some conversation time over my delicious coffee. All in all a pretty good experience.
(4)
Andrew C.
Ambiance and service are good. (4 stars) Prices and food are not (2 stars). Came here from out of town on a wedding. Yelped breakfast, and this place came out. These prices are outrageous for such mediocre food. Nothing special don't bother.
(3)
Jessie S.
Wedding anniversary brunch! My husband and I decided to splurge a little bit and take ourselves out for a nice brunch to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. This was our first visit to Cafe Zola and we had read such great reviews of the place. We were given a great table in the front window. The staff was very friendly and attentive however I did not expect the menu to be so expensive. Holy crap! I ordered the champignon crepe. It was flavorful and light and covered my entire plate. The dish didn't disappoint with the amount of mushrooms in the porcini mushroom sauce. It's important to note when ordering the crepe that all you receive is the crepe, no fruit or other accompaniment. As a result, I only ate half of it as I got bored with eating so much of the same thing. Did I mention that it cost $11.95? My husband ordered the asparagus and goat cheese omelette. This dish cost $14.95 and consisted of 3 scrambled eggs overcooked in a pan then folded over grilled asparagus and goat cheese. It was served with a side of rosemary-garlic roasted red skin potatoes. There wasn't anything particularly special about this omelette. The eggs were not very fluffy. The asparagus was good, but it was simply grilled asparagus. The side of potatoes were good, but nothing out of the ordinary. I suppose I'm just confused as to what makes this dish so special that it justifies charging $15.00. We really wanted to like Cafe Zola, but it just didn't make sense as to why it is so expensive. Please note that I just moved to Ann Arbor from San Francisco and am not a stranger to paying for expensive food. However when paying $10+ for a breakfast dish there should be something about it that makes it stand out and be truly worth what you are paying. It was very disappointing to pay such an exorbitant amount for food that is nothing special, only less greasy than neighboring competitors.
(2)
Kristin W.
I headed to Cafe Zola for a to-go breakfast and debated between the omelettes and the crepes. I ended up ordering the Smoked Salmon Omelette, which was a bit pricey at $16.95, but certainly fresh and delicious. I can't wait to go back and try crepes and more omelettes!
(5)
laura g.
When I only had time to eat at two restaurants on a recent A2 visit, this was one.
(5)
Benjamin S.
I just dont see what the big draw to this place is. EXTREMELY overpriced, sub par food, poor service. Are people really willing to pay this much just for the atmosphere? I have tried this place probably half a doezen times and have been more and more dissapointed with each visit. The omlets are absolutely horrible and the standard "bacon & eggs" dish is nothing to celebrate and is close to $10. WIth all the breakfast options in AA, I fail to see how this place stays in business.
(2)
Mary W.
We went last year and although the food is very good, love their waffles, teas and big cup cappuccinos, the service wasn't so great. It wasn't even a busy morning but the server was too busy with customers she seems to recognize and didn't even bother to check on our table.
(2)
Christopher F.
Came here for dinner during Ann Arbor's restaurant week. For starter we ordered the fig with goat cheese and the blue crab cakes, both were outstanding. The crab cake is nicely seasoned and the remolaude was terrific. For salad we ordered the insalata caprese and an arugula salad with pears and walnuts. Bot were amazing, the buffalo mozzarella was like butter, the tomatoes were wonderful. The arugula salad was just as wonderful love the grilled pear and sweet walnuts. For entree we ordered the chimichuri steak and lamb chops, both were absolutely fantastic. The steak was a little spicy and the chimichuri was wonderful. The service was great, this place is pricey, but they deliver.
(5)
Amanda P.
Eh - I went for a meeting with colleagues before work on a muggy, warm morning. They hadn't turned the air conditioning on, and it was hotter inside than outside. I know it's Michigan and not everyone does AC here, but when you run an establishment with industrial grade ovens/stoves in the back of it, let's run the AC in June? Okay, I'm sweating - time to order coffee. The coffee was pretty good - I thought it was cool that they allow you to order it the trendy way by region instead of being boring about it. I wanted something savory and not sweet for breakfast, so I went with the Salmon Hash, which sounded odd to me in theory but I thought I would be adventurous since I love salmon and hash. What could go wrong? When they served it, I stared at it for a moment because it wasn't really a hash - it was more like a salmon latke or a salmon patty like my mom used to make. But when I had a bite, it had no flavor and honestly tasted a bit burnt. It was almost as if they had sliced everything tiny, but had still cooked the potatoes longer so they were kind of burnt, the onions bitter, and the salmon was indistinguishable. The "horseradish cream sauce" on top tasted like foamed parsley puree. Just bland bland bland. It was gross. The eggs on top were cold, and I didn't even salt it - I just sat there grumpy and shiny determined to enjoy the coffee and conversation. Brunch doesn't seem too bad here, so I would maybe try it again if anyone wanted to go there. There are at least 5 other places I would go first for breakfast in AA.
(2)
James R.
Ok. There are 2 negatives about this place. 1. The wait. The restaurant is decently sized, but it has almost NO waiting area for people waiting to be seated. So you've got to huddle just inside the door and be in the way of everyone coming in or out, or wait outside, and hope that the person doing the seating bothers to check outside. 2. Not cheap. Seriously not cheap. I think breakfast for my wife and I was north of $50, mostly boosted by a mimosa for her, and a mocha for me. Both of which were fantastic. Everything else? Positively wonderful. The crepe I had was amazing, with ham, and cheese and egg, in just the best possible ratios. Paper thin ham is something I wouldn't have thought I would enjoy. Either way, try to sneak in here on a weekday and enjoy truly gourmet food, just be prepared for a wait, and a bit of sticker shock.
What a splendid afternoon in A2, and a nice time to stop in at Zola's. Quick seating, an attentive server (ask for Leah, she listens well and is very helpful). My omelet was well prepared and the Americano coffee was hot and flavorful, despite all of the half and half I added (I basically try to drown the bean, Leah will confirm this). Cannot ask for much more. Thanks for a solid dining experience.
(5)
Bonnie Z.
I came here for restaurant week. The starter and salad was good, (mussels and kale salad) but my main dish (lamb) was bland and dry and the portion was tiny. I honestly just expected more.
(3)
Debbie C.
This is one of my favorite Restuarant's in Ann Arbor. They have the best tasting variety of foods. The staff is the utmost courteous the owners have a Knick for choosing the proper wait staff to serve their customers. I like to frequent business's where the owners are visible and attentive to their guests. The atmosphere is outstanding and the food is incredible. If you are visiting Ann Arbor or live in Ann Arbor go check it out. Cafe Zolas is an icon that should not be missed. My personal favorite for breakfast is The Heidey's Breakfast. Enjoy!
(5)
Kip W.
Don't go here hungry! Why? Because by the time you are seated and served you WILL be hungry and I would hate for you to start gnawing at your fingers. I do love the food! You just can't go here and eat on a budget or be in a hurry. You will easily drop $12-$15 on an omelette. They charge you extra for just about everything. In fact, I'm surprised they don't charge more for special oil to fry your food in. This being said, The Farmhouse Omelette and the Southwestern Omelette are awesome and filling. If you have a sweet tooth, the crepes are great as well. I love the coffee, love the coffee! I've mostly been here for breakfast, but have been there a couple times in the evening for dinner and they have a killer Basil Martini. The food is almost worth the wait, almost.
(4)
Nathan E.
I stayed away from this place for years, and I'm sorry that I did because Cafe Zola rocks! I'd say it was during the mid-'90s when I lived a few blocks away and had a heroine-using housemate for one summer who waited tables at Zola when it first opened. My friends and I didn't like the housemate very much, and we called Zola the smack-addict cafe. Well, something close to 20 years have passed, and Zola is so much more than a place for smack addicts to work. I'm really sorry I characterized it so badly back in the day. Anyway, now it's the 21st century, and I come here for brunch whenever I'm in Ann Arbor. I almost always get the Turkish eggs (baked over spinach and feta! Yum!). And I'm sure everything else is great too. I watched the guy at the table next to me today eating a waffle with ice cream and syrup on top. I wouldn't do that, but it was fun to watch! The owner is a lady from Turkey, and I don't remember her name. But she's quite colorful and friendly and often at the host stand. I'd say that she IS the ambience at Zola, and it's fun just to chat with her. The service is always great, although sometimes it can be pretty busy. Dog friendly at the outside tables. Family friendly all around. And I'm so glad that my smack addict housemate doesn't work there anymore. I hope the owner fired her:)
(4)
Coll P.
There has got to be a better way to seat people at this place...we tried to go once without a reservation, waited fifteen minutes as we watched people losing their shit that they were getting skipped over and left. We tried again with a reservation and learned that this means NOTHING. We waited and waited and once again got to watch some funny situations of people getting called, walking up to the host and her telling them it would be fifteen more minutes, then seating someone who just walked in. IYYYYYYYYYYY. When we were finally sat I ordered a hot chocolate to warm up and it was more like hot milk albeit with delicious whipped cream. Bummer. They have tons of possibilities for brunch though and everything that we ordered was...good. The crepes seemed to be the biggest hit amongst us.
(3)
Andrew Z.
I was part of a reservation for 13 people for a birthday brunch for my sister. We made the reservation 3 week prior. What was meant to be a happy Sunday turned unhappy by our experience at Zola. We were met by the disrespectful owner/host/manager who "didn't care" that we had a reservation and said "lots of other people had special occasions". Also, reservations don't really matter and they seat based on when people sign in??? Wah?? Never got a chance to try the food but will never go there again based on the disrespect and "customer always last" attitude that met my party at the door.
(1)
C Y.
Wonderful for dinner with kids even though no "kids menu". Also they have a NUT-SAFE procedure! They can serve people with severe tree nut and peanut allergies; know the origin of their ingredients and segregate prep for your specific order. Something tasty, special and sophisticated for everyone, simple to highbrow palates!
(5)
Chris K.
Delicious. You get what you pay for. Usually seated more quickly than the time they quote you (people walk away; don't go anywhere!), the servers were helpful and polite. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Matt N.
I love this place! The food is a bit on the pricey side but totally worth it!! The waffles are made with yogurt, and the bacon is local and smoked in a special way that gives it so much flavor. I also have gotten the monte Christo and it was amazing and so are their salads! I've never eaten anything here that wasn't top notch! Breakfast, lunch, dinner. It's all good! Lattes and coffee is really good too!
(5)
Lucy Y.
Zola seems overrated. I had one guest with me and we were seated near the window, where a couple was absolutely silent, holding each other hands. Woaah, didn't mean to interrupt a weirdly intimate moment! The seating is very cramped. Dinner was terrible for their prices. My pumpkin squash ravioli was listed as a specialty, came out as $19 (with chicken), and was dry and undercooked. How do two cocktails come out for $22.50?? Absolutely absurd. Not to mention my guest's filet mignon was burnt and had a tangy sauce to it. The strawberry mojito, creme brulee, and butternut squash somewhat redeemed the quality of the food, but I would not waste my money on dinner here.
(2)
Sarah C.
So my parents came to visit me in Michigan for the first time! Going to Ann Arbor is a must. I looked through Yelp and found this place. It was highly rated so why the heck not? I am always worried about seating and even around noon we were able to get seats inside. Everyone wants to be outside in the sun. My parents don't want to get skin cancer so we sat inside. It did get pretty busy a bit later. It is always a bit difficult to order for my parents since they rarely eat out and when they do its Chinese food. Smoked Salmon Omelette15.95 Durham's Tracklements smoked salmon, fresh tarragon, scallions and a creamy mustard sauce make this elegant omelette a gourmet favorite. - My mom loves fish and I ordered this for her. It was a disappointment seeing how there was barely any salmon in this. POO. I ordered an open faced omelette with onions and mushrooms. I ate about 1/5 of it and stopped. It tasted like nothing! X_X I did like the potatoes it came with. Without the potatoes it would have been zero stars. Chicken Salad11.95 Chunk chicken, red grapes and vegetables, topped with toasted almonds on challah.- My dad ordered this and surprisingly enough he loved it. He doesn't eat sandwiches like a normal person though. He eats sandwiches and basically everything with utensils. Haha. Like other reviews have mentioned. It did take a while for us to get our food so if you are really hungry maybe order an appetizer. The bathrooms are really nice! 4 stars! I definitely wouldn't come back.
(2)
Jordan K.
Great place for breakfast in Ann Arbor. Big menu with many options!
(5)
Edwina S.
I mostly end up eating bunch here. Yes, I have a brunch thing... i like to munch on brunch... trying new places, etc etc. Some places are worth coming back to, over and over and over and Zola. The drinks are great, the food is fabulous, the wait sucks arse so bad you could smash a window. Book a table so as to spare the windows, ok? Crepes are ok (speaking actual shell here... Julia Child's recipe will yield a better crepe for you at home IMHO), but the fillings are good. Two thumbs up on the following omlettes I have devoured: Artichoke, Smoked Salmon, Asparagus and Goat Cheese (i grok goat cheese); only one thumb up for the Istanbul (i didn't care for their feta... go with goat cheese... rotflmho) My favorite cocktail remains the Ginger Dragon. Now... to complain... what IDIOT installed the lights near the tables up top?! I have had the window seat a few times... and the heavy glass son-of-a-biscuit whacks me in the head repeatedly (I'm 5'9... average male height... sigh... grrr) DUCK!
(5)
Boris S.
Banana Nutella Crepes $13 (5/5 NOMs) Honey I crepe you so much, Great way to start the day with desert crepe. You can never go wrong with nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread! Lets add some , ice cream, banana slices, toasted almonds, crème chantilly and raspberry sauce. Its like an over topped crepe of goodness. Frittata Zola $13 (5/5 NOMs) Open face omelet? That is just weird and wrong and maybe the best omelet ever created! They just might have turned my omelet work face up! Comes with a nice mix of nomnom goodies like sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, challah croutons and tangy goat cheese. Its like eating a very advance egg pancake. So if you are in town for brunch, stop by and order this. Home Fries (4/5 NOMs) Pretty good home fries. Comes great with any order.
(5)
Allison B.
Hands down one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. There were about a six things on the menu that I really wanted to have, and while I can't say I just broke down and ordered myself a smorgasbord, I was extremely happy with what I ultimately chose -- the Champignon crepe. It just couldn't have been anymore perfect and delicious. The mushroom sauce was very flavorful and the crepe itself was light yet the meal still left me satisfied. I also splurged on a bloody mary and a side of thick-cut local bacon that was so smokey, crisp, and awesome. My friends were equally pleased with their choices. I am not from Ann Arbor (or Michigan for that matter), but if I lived here I feel like I would be at Cafe Zola all the time. It's clear from the variety on their menu and how wonderful my fairly simple meal was that they know good food. This meal was the highlight of my visit!
(5)
Albert T.
This place serves both brunch and dinner. In my experience, it is one of the best brunch spots in all of Ann Arbor. However, while their dinner menu is great, I don't find it to be on the same level as their brunch menu. On top of that, their beverage selection is great whether it is tea or wine you are seeking. During brunch, they serve great mimosas. As for service, I have never had a bad experience here. Each and every time I have been here the servers have been very attentive and adept at providing recommendations.
(4)
Susan D.
We go to the downtown Zola about every three months and have for years. The omelets and other egg dishes are consistently good, with lots of fresh ingredients and yummy home fries on the side and good bread as well. Because we enjoy the food we tend to forget how desperately S-L-O-O-O-W the kitchen is. The servers themselves are great: personable, professional, etc. It is a kitchen issue - maybe not enough space or cooks or I don't know. Don't show up at noon on Sunday and expect to be served soon after your order has been taken. It can be a half hour to 45 min for an order of eggs to appear. But the food is good and plentiful once it arrives and That's why we keep going back.
(3)
Jenny Z.
Went here for brunch one Saturday. I hear it's normally very busy, but on that particular day we didn't have to wait at all! Food is a little pricey, but it all tastes great. If you're extra hungry, I recommend sharing a pastries & preserves basket with the whole table--so good!
(4)
Emily G.
4 years as a UM student and not once did I ever go to Zola. As my bestie and I sat in the patio and browsed the menu, we thought to ourselves "this is the kind of place your parents would take you out for brunch when they came to town, or celebrated a nice occasion".. "wait, this is the place you go when you can afford a $14 breakfast. Clearly not me in undergrad". Being able to afford a $14 breakfast (several years later) I obviously felt like a friggin' BOSS. So we sat outside, and ordered.. WHATEVER WE WANTED. Between the 2 of us we shared the Istanbul scramble and the spicy fruit waffle dish, which ended up being almost too much food for 2 overzealous girls. The Istambul Scramble was filled with ratatouille (a french veggie casserole with tomato, eggplant, zucchini and squash) and served with some rosemary potatoes. The eggs were fluffy, the stuffing was actually pretty mild in flavor but cooked at the right temperature (not hard but not turned to mush either). The rosemary potatoes were the absolute best, drowning with potent garlic and olive oil, and topped with some added organic hot sauce that was out of this world. Our spicy fruit waffle basically had an apple compote on top with some walnuts and cranberries. The waffle itself was cake-like, not your traditional style of waffle but still moist and tasty. The fruit on top had been mixed with honey, but it was so little that we needed more liquid to be able to chow down on the dense dish. Since our server was not outside (and didn't come out for a while), we asked another nearby server for some syrup to put on the waffle. He was incredibly sassy... and not in a good way. He told us that the waffle already had honey and we'd have to pay extra for syrup, and basically pointed his finger at us like we were two 5 year-olds getting punished. When our server came out, she got us a bit of extra honey for the waffle, which was free. Had it not been for the sassy waiter, our experience would have been 5 stars. The scramble was definitely a home-run, but the waffle dish definitely needs more moisture or liquid to balance the dense waffle and fruit combo.
(4)
Virginia C.
They have Belgium waffles and crepes... enough said for good Brunch Must do: Champignon Crepe (porcini mushroom sauce is divine). I usually never like savory crepes (I tend to like them sweet), but this was fantastic. Belgium Waffles with Strawberry/Bananas- you must get the Michigan maple syrup- not the fake stuff.. Although this place gets busy on the weekends, I like the casual/family atmosphere- less of a 18 year old college vibe here than the others...--- so I will def. be back again.
(4)
John F.
This is a great place for breakfast or lunch. They may take themselves a little too seriously but the food is great and the service is pretty solid. My only complaint would be the price. Something seems odd about paying $100 for a breakfast for 2-3. Other than the ridiculous prices, this is a very good spot and I continue to come back.
(4)
Juliana M.
I've heard a lot of people rave about brunch at Cafe Zola, so maybe I went in with high expectations, but I was pretty disappointed with the dining experience. The place is extremely crowded, and the service was impersonal. Our food came out cold, and we had to send it back for them to heat up again in the microwave. The portions were small, and for the price, I expected much better flavors. I think I'll be sticking with Angelo's and Afternoon Delight for brunch instead - much more reasonable prices, better taste, and no cold food.
(2)
Victoria B.
I was here over the wkd. I had Hediye's breakfast (Hediye's the owner with magenta hair and sometimes her lipstick matches her hair I've heard) anyways it's was delicious and it didn't have any other proteins beyond eggs and veggies. I'm not an olive lover but the olives were really good to my surprise :). My boyfriend had the classic three meat and eggs and he said it was really good. Needless to say we left full and happy. Our service there was excellent.
(4)
Jay R.
Their sausage is smoked and delicious! Expensive but big worthwhile portions make the trip here absolutely necessary. This is the perfect place to experience Ann Arbor if you are a visitor. I came here as a kid and loved it, I came here with a cousin many years later and still love it! The bread is big but tastes so good! 5 stars for sure here.
(5)
Vance W.
Have yet to be disappointed! I've come to Zola Cafe several times for brunch and had very good meals. The staff has always been friendly and attentive. Service overall has been great! Today I stopped by for lunch for a simple meatball sandwich. To my surprise this sandwich was anything but simple; definitely not ordinary. The flavor combination was amazing. It was much more than I expected! I recommend Zola's to anyone looking for quality food coupled with great service.
(4)
John L.
YUMMM!!!! Had the open-faced artichoke omelet. Only thing is I wished it had some meat on it. BUT, its still quite delicious. I need to go back and try the rest of their menu. Great service. good atmosphere.
(5)
Maddy S.
First time in Ann Arbor and wanted a nice cappuccino and small breakfast. Saw that the yelp reviews were overall positive and decided to try Cafe Zola out. I was seated right away with a friendly host, greeted by my server within a few minutes and gave my drink order. There were about 4-6 tables seated other than myself. Pros: quiet morning, nice ambiance, friendly host Cons: my menu was disgustingly dirty and sticky and took away from the experience/ turned me off right away, my server was very unenthused, I waited for my cappuccino for 10 minutes- looked around for my server for another 5 minutes and decided to find food and coffee elsewhere. Truly a bummer experience.
Of the multiple times I've tried this place, I have never had a good experience at Zola. That said this place is definitely very popular in AA and like most popular things, it's a downer. You will almost always have to wait to get a table here on weekends. So make a reservation. Food The taste is just meh. Granted it's breakfast food but I expect more for the price I pay. It is kind of like diner food with only slightly better ingredients. Meaning it relies on a truck load of grease and quantity. It leaves kind of a bad taste and I never feel good for hours and on after a Zola brunch. It is definitely overpriced for the quality of their food and service. I paid $60 for 2 people for a regular brunch, no drinks. Service The servers ask you for add-ons when you place an order. They never mention the extra charge and you see $3 entries creep up on your bill once you're done eating. I was asked if the server could 'fill' my diet coke again. Against my better judgement I said yes since the first glass was just filled with ice upto the brim with hardly any coke, and of course I was charged again for it. You are better off choosing another place to eat if you like welcoming and personable service. Sitting Super cramped. My guests and I tripped over twice just trying to get in and get out of our chairs. I don't think it is possible to fit more people in the space they have.
(2)
Jennifer R.
Love their brunch! Salad Zola with avocado and tomato added....healthy and delicious. Great drinks, too. Hendricks lemonade was so good this summer!!!!
(5)
Chelsea S.
Cafe Zola is one of the cutest and most delicious restaurants in Ann Arbor. I've been to Zola on a few occasions and have tried both their breakfast/brunch menu as well as their dinner menu. As great as their dinners are their breakfasts are what you should come for. The interior is charming and clean and provides an atmosphere that is easy to converse in. Service is exceptional and the menu is plentiful. I really love sitting outside on their outdoor tables in the sunshine for brunch. For food their omelets are unique and excellently prepared. Their waffles are sinful and decadent. Their Turkish eggs breakfast with the thick slabs of feta, tomatoes, cucumber, eggs, and bead for dipping is so fresh, simple, clean and flavorful. Their homefries are some of the best I have had; soft on the inside with great crispy exterior. Seal the deal with the fresh Zingerman baked bread basket, honey butter, and a French press to split and you will be so happy. The only reason I won't give it five stars is for the slightly steep prices (particularly at dinner) but I still love this place.
(4)
Kate S.
I've checked out a few breakfast joints since I've moved here and nothing beats Cafe Zola. The atmosphere of the restaurant is warm and inviting. They have nice little touches too like real tulips in vases and coffee cake on cake stands on the bar. I ordered the orange juice to start and it was freshly squeezed and not from a bottle. My mom had a cappuccino, which was also very good. For breakfast, I ordered the strawberry-banana delight, which were the best waffles I have had in a LONG time. They mention in their menu that the waffles have more of a cake-like texture, and the difference is noticeable. I had to eat it all, even when my stomach hurt because it was that good! My mom got the Turkish Brunch, which was presented nicely and according to her, it tasted great. The only complaint I had was that service was a little slow, but it was a very busy morning for them and I didn't really mind it. Honestly, this is my new go-to breakfast joint. I recommending it to all my friends in the future!
(5)
Breanna H.
I have heard only wonderful things about this place, but my first experience there did not at all reflect that. First off, we got there and waited over 10 minutes for someone to come and take a drink or food order. During this wait, another couple was seated directly behind us and was served immediately and ahead of us. Once we got to order, if was after 3pm and apparently they no longer serve eggs after 3. We never saw a sign out front, text on the menu, or heard from our server that this was the case. We then had to take more time to choose new menu items that did not include egg. Not all items on the menu specify whether they use egg, so you just get to use your best judgement on this. It's a game of luck! After about 20+ minutes of being in the restaurant we finally got to put in our order and requested to speak with a manager about our service. The manager never came and they ended up bringing me the completely wrong dish. This is one of the few times I didn't send it back because I could not get out of this place quickly enough. I must admit, the wrong food I got was pretty good, but not worth such a poor dining experience.
(2)
Shirley C.
This is seriously where I have brunch every 2 or 3 days. Love the waffles, omelette, and most of the Zola's favorite. Will def stick to this place!!
(5)
Lauren L.
I still love everything Cafe Zola for bunch/lunch. Cannot recommend it enough! However, I recently tried it for dinner and wasn't as excited. It was pretty empty when we showed up (especially compared to brunch), and I think I understand why. The menu didn't have a strong theme, unlike the brunch menu. It had some salads, some Italian items and some American/Mexican options. Nothing very unique or inventive. I also had bad sticker shock. I've been in Ann Arbor for a while now, and while I'm gradually adjusting for the costs, I still think Zola's dinner menu was especially overpriced. Nothing on the menu really stood out and we had a tough time choosing in the sense that nothing was exciting. I paid over $22 for what amounted to a medium sized chicken salad. It was good tasting, but nothing special. The side bread was good, and they gave us a lot of it. They also offered us a taco appetizer for $6 - a single taco with two shrimp!! We were trying not to laugh - I felt a little bad for out waitress, who seemed embarrassed to have to tell us how small it was. Cocktails start at $10 and even go up from there. I still recommend this place really highly for mornings. Its one of my favorites. But there are much better options close by for dinner.
(4)
Ian M.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots in Ann Arbor. I usually alternate between a few things on the menu, but you really could point blindly and end up with something great. On top of the great food I have always had great service from friendly and knowledgable servers. The only complaint I have is the wait sometimes to get a table as so many other want to eat there. Well also they used to have these really cool photographs on the wall but they usually get new art work to sell for the artists. But other than those two very small things this place is great for lunch and I would assume dinner too.
(4)
Michael E.
Zola's is a nice place for a tasty lunch or brunch. The cooking is creative, the ingredients are of high quality, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They're not cheap, though. Dinner is another matter. Like many contemporary restaurants, they're very much into unusual combinations, contrasting flavors, stacking food vertically, the sort of thing that strikes me as trying to be clever. That's easy to do. What's difficult is presenting good food simply cooked, and letting the ingredients speak for themselves. The last dinner dish I had was have a grilled chicken- which was not bad- sitting on top of a pile of mashed potatoes, squashed flat, and drenched in butter. Off to the side were four pieces of flavorless, overcooked asparagus, and a pile of similarly flavorless chopped leeks. The chicken completely covered the potatoes, which were squashed into a flat puddle, so I didn't really realize they were there until I started carving into the chicken and it slid across the plate. This dish cost $24, and while that's about par for the low end on Main street these days, it wasn't particularly well executed. The fashionable bare brick walls at Zola's also mean this is a very loud restaurant at dinner time. When I'm spending $100 for dinner for two, I like to be able to carry on a conservations without yelling. The noise level makes for a very stressful environment. I don't think I'll be back again for dinner.
(2)
Yuliya H.
After Eve closed, this is now probably my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. I have been here for brunch and dinner several times and have had an excellent experience every time. Love their wine list, but most recently I tried the Midnight Manhattan Martini and loved it. I generally don't like super sweet drinks and this one was perfect: a mix of bitter and slightly sweet. Yum! My favorite dinner entree here is the Hawaiian Sea Bass (Pan roasted Mero in Miso) - it's fantastic!!! The best sea bass I've ever had anywhere! Every bite is an explosion of flavor in your mouth. Love the atmosphere and ambiance. 5 stars all around!!
(5)
Julie C.
My review is more about one bad experience that I had, rather than the food here. I went with a small group of friends, since a few were moving out of town. Almost all of us ordered the Kobe burger, which was tasty. And the house fries were delicious. However, the waitress spilled a cup of red sauce on my new dress, that I was wearing to a meeting right after lunch. I ended up spending most of my time in the bathroom with a glass of club soda, trying to salvage the dress. I emerged to inhale the burger and fries, with little time to talk to my friends who were leaving. Then I had to run home to change for my meeting. Not worth the $20 tab. Okay, that's my vent.
(1)
T V.
Had a what the heck moment here when I ordered $15 French toast only to discover that maple syrup was not included, though I could get some for $3.50 more. That seems like poor form to me. So I ate my French toast with butter only.... Other than that, it was a cute place. Service was on the slow side, but it was busy. Everyone else enjoyed their food. Whatever.
(2)
E B.
The food is unique and delicious, and the ingredients are of very high quality. The mimosas and bloody marys are also wonderful. However, it is ridiculously overpriced, even for Ann Arbor, and the owner is quite rude to the patrons. It is an Ann Arbor staple probably worth trying (especially if you can go on a weekday morning when it is less busy and you are likely to have better service), but expect to be made to feel as though you should be honored to be dining there, not the other way around.
(3)
Benjamin M.
Been here a couple times for breakfast and once for dinner. Large menus are often a warning sign and this place has one of the largest. The omelettes are decent. The smoked salmon hash is one dimensional and over-salted. Oddly, they wouldn't poach the eggs, despite offering eggs benedict on the same menu. The crepes are mostly good, but I wouldn't get the salmon one. There's nothing horribly offensive about the food, but everything is about $5-$10 more than it should be, including the hot tea, which costs an astounding $8 a pot (!) and is sadly nothing special. This place gets away with charging top dollar for mediocre fare because there's too little competition in downtown Ann Arbor. Zingerman's Roadhouse is probably a bit too far out of the way for most of the regulars, but if you have the means and the will, it's a far more satisfying (and shockingly less expensive) option.
(2)
Carrie L.
There's more to a restaurant than just the food. Both of the stars I give this are just for the French Toast - which was good but not to die for. The rest of the experience would certainly not make me want to go back. The atmosphere was SO loud, and the seating was so close, I could barely talk to the person I was with. That may be good when you're out on the town for a Saturday night but certainly not what you want on a Friday morning before you've had your coffee. The thing I really hated was almost $7 (6.50) for an Orange Juice! I've paid less in Manhattan. That price, along with the total price of my bill ($54 for breakfast for 2 with tip!) is just plain rude to your guests.
(2)
Nina N.
I'm actually just coming back from bunch at Zola. Yes, it's expensive. But I'll definitely be coming back in the near future. Service is slow, but I actually preferred it that way. The food is delicious and it was SPECTACULAR to sit outside, enjoy my meal and have a great conversation with a friend. If you go for brunch, definitely order a french press. And a mimosa after your meal if you're feel extra saucy ;)
(4)
N P.
This would be the place I go to for a special evening in Ann Arbor. I love the creativity of the menu and I typically tend to always end up with dessert at all times of the day here because it is so consistently unhealthy and good lol (I run after so it's ok lol). I do love their desserts and particularly the crepes. It's just a great place overall. It's a great date place and you see couples in love and couples just getting started and you see families with college students here to celebrate holidays or just being able to visit. I love the interior and the ambience. We've had some average hostesses but the waitstaff nearly always has been so polite and friendly. You guys really make the place what it is. I read here that they are opening another location and I will check that out but please don't skip this one too. I haven't been back in a few months but if i need a date place I will go back soon.
(5)
Yasmin E.
LOVE! This place is so homey and the food is SUPERB! seriously, ANY omelet that you order is an amazing choice (I've tried them all). Add home fries to your order to experience nirvana. EXCELLENT brunch spot or place to grab dessert with friends. Ambiance is warm and semi-exotic. I've eaten in brunchspots all over the East Coast. Aside from Sabrina's in Philly, nothing to date comes close to Zola!
(5)
Ali B.
I would give Cafe Zola 3 stars for their food but their service is absolutely miserable. During our first visit to this restaurant, we were quoted a 30-40 minute wait for a table for brunch and we ended up waiting an hour and 15 minutes. Once seated, we were asked to get up and move (literally move) our table, my friend was accosted by several servers (full body spray with cleaner while an adjacent table was being cleaned, nearly hit in the face with multiple plates, generally rude servers, etc.). Finally, about 15 minutes after paying our bill, while we were finishing our beverages, we were actually asked to leave. That was the breaking point...it was overall, very disappointing. I will not be back to this restaurant.
(1)
Zachary W.
Great brunch place. I've had the Waffles and the Turkish Eggs and enjoyed both a lot.
(5)
Chelsea A.
What a bummmmmmer! The food here is GREAT. I just won't drive all the way to Ann Arbor from West Bloomfield to be treated like shit. The waitstaff are clearly young. I don't blame them for being terrible servers, I blame their boss for not mentoring them. I waited tables and did catering from 14 to 23, and never acted as goofy as the kids working here, due to it simply not being allowed by my manager, boss etc.. I assume not all the servers are awful, but after having to walk out more than once due to literally being ignored for more than 20 minutes ( I even politley asked the hostess to get my waitress 2 times on a day when there were 3 tables filled), I am DONE with Cafe Zola. What a shame, the food is really very good. If you don't mind taking a gamble on service, it is worth a try. If I lived close by I would come here again, but I rarely go to this city, so I guess it's my loss.
(1)
S P.
I went here Friday morning with my boyfriend. I ordered the bagel and lox style dish, which I think they called the 'salmon platter' or something like that. It was really underwhelming for $16. A regular toasted bagel, some cream cheese, lox, capers, and veggies were arranged on a plate for me to put together myself. The problem is that the veggies were thick cut slices of cucumber, tomato, red onion, and a big leaf of lettuce. It was exactly the kind of thing provided at BBQ events where you serve yourself a hamburger at a picnic in a park. They also put two weird lemon slices on the place but I couldn't do anything but make a mess with them. Also the bagel wasn't great...just a bagel, and served a bit too long after it was toasted (regular toasted bagels have a small window of time in which they are really tasty). I'm assuming that there are other things here to try that might be better, but my boyfriend said his meal, a portobello sandwich, was nothing to write home about. With prices like that I was hoping for something more exciting (which I think is reasonable...I've found a few places that put lots of work into every dish, down the the steak sides or house salad).
(2)
Snezana S.
Amazing place. I loved the european atmosphere inside. The food was excellent, I had the belgian waffle with wild berries and cream and my husband had an omelette which came with roasted patatos and homebaked bread. We both left smiling and very happy with everything we tried. I think they have a great selection of food, I recommend it with all my heart!
(5)
Angelina V.
Excellent! Always really busy, and rightfully so. Great and unique cuisine.
(4)
Bridget K.
An actress friend of mine was shooting part of her latest romantic comedy in Ann Arbor so I made the journey from Detroit to meet for lunch. We landed on Cafe Zola thanks to a suggestion from her hair stylist based in Ann Arbor. We walked right in because it was already 2 pm. We had passed the lunch rush. Our server was new but she did a great job! We both got the Turkish lemonade with was good but pretty sugary. The entre was pretty good and a nice sized portion. My friend got one of the soup specials because of the great bread. She was not disappointed.
(4)
Dee C.
Just went here earlier today and this place had about an hour wait. I guess this could be because it was homecoming week. It was absolutely packed here and they were seating as soon as a table got up. This place is obviously packed for a reason! It wad almost getting to a point where it was getting hard to talk to each other because it was loud. Nutella banana crepes: chocolate-hazelnut spread, ice cream, banana slices, toasted almonds, creme chantilly and raspberry sauce. This was an amazing crepe! I loved every moment of it and the ice cream was the perfect touch to it! Fresh squeezed orange juice really means fresh squeezed. It felt absolutely refreshing to drink it. Rosemary potatoes. Some of the potatoes were burnt and it did not have all that much flavor. I think they need to be cut smaller or do hasbrowns. The service was a little slow, and some of the things could have gone better, but overall had some really great food. I would go back!
(4)
Jennifer V.
I've been here for both brunch and dinner, and I've gotta say that I definitely prefer their brunch. Their dinner is good, but their brunch is superb. I wasn't overly impressed with their dinner selection. I've had a couple of different entrees (once I had pasta, the other time, I can't remember), and both times it seemed a bit bland. The brunch, on the other hand, is excellent. I generally get their Americana breakfast - simple and straightforward. The eggs are cooked to perfection, and I usually have bacon with it. What makes the breakfast, though, are the potatoes. Yum!! The only issue I have with Zola is that their portions are on the small side for their prices. I don't come here often, typically for this reason. If I want a larger brunch for the same price, I'll generally go to Zingerman's Roadhouse or a coney.
(4)
Martha V.
A friend and I stopped in for lunch during the Ann Arbor art fair and really enjoyed ourselves. The food and service were both really good - and there is something to be said for that during the art fair when restaurants are packed with more than the usual number of diners for a meal. We both had salad and were very pleased (and full). We had a hard time choosing what to eat - the crepes look outstanding so I may have to try one on my next visit. I will be back with my husband for sure.
(4)
Christopher T.
Definitely a must visit if in Ann Arbor. I had the open faced omelette with artichoke, peppers, potatoes, green beans, and onions. It was so amazing! My niece had the snowball waffle which was also yum, yum, yum. I don't think they make anything here that is bad. Plus, the service is very friendly.
(5)
Amy L.
Excellent Ann Arbor Sunday brunch place! The food is amazing:) Of course, on Sunday it is very crowded and you should expect to wait. There is not a very large waiting area and most people stand outside. Not too bad when the weather is reasonable. The service is okay, typical for a very busy restaurant on Sunday morning. It seems to be a little expensive, but that doesn't keep people away. I will most likey be coming back!
To me, Cafe Zola is a whole 'nother step up in food quality than any of the breakfast choices in Ann Arbor. Every component of each meal I've seen is of amazing quality - whether it's the honey-mustard sauce, coffee, or salmon. Unfortunately, this higher quality comes at a price. One might argue that the prices are fair for its finer quality, but these prices relegate me to keeping Cafe Zola's for special occasions.
(4)
Emily F.
I had a bad experience at Cafe Zola. I will admit though, i am not rating the food, i am rating the service. I was in town to visit my sister who attends the University of Michigan and we wanted to go out for a nice brunch. I called Cafe Zola while we were driving over, and they told me the wait would be about 15 minutes. We parked the car, and when we arrived at the restaurant, it couldn't have been more than six or seven minutes until we actually walked in, the hostess told me there would be over an hour wait. I explained that I had just called and driven over because she said the wait would be fifteen minutes, and she said I needed to wait like everybody else. We waited almost an hour, and when that time had passed the hostess told us that the wait would still be an hour, and she was not very nice about it. I'm all for waiting for a delicious brunch, but she was so rude. There is no need to be rude to customers, and this really hit a nerve with me because we were being incredibly nice and understanding. We ended up leaving and having a delightful brunch somewhere else. I will not go back to Cafe Zola because I do not not like being treated like a nuisance when I am a willing, paying customer.
(1)
Jasmine L.
Awesome brunch place just off Main Street. My aunt raved about this French-y bistro brunch cafe, so before herding my sister off to catch her train at noon, we all went here Sunday morning. (Holy crap at the line outside, by the way. Prepare to spend about 30 minutes milling around.) First off - best coffee, hands down, that I've had in a long long time. I got the cafe latte and it was creamy, caffeinated goodness. Yum. My sister got the soy cafe au lait and oh man - it came out with an empty cup the size of a pool, and two little bottles, one brimming with foamed soy milk, and the other steaming with freshly brewed coffee. To say that it was exceptional is an understatement. Ah, but we need to talk about the food. I got the omelette duxelles, my sister got the frittata zola, my aunt got the turkish delight, and my cousin got the banana and strawberry crepes. OH THE BOUNTIFUL DELICIOUSNESS! My omelette was chockful of sauteed mushrooms and the porcini sauce is divine. (Only thing - I couldn't see or taste any onions/shallots, which was a shame, but it didn't take away from the taste.) The egg was thick and fluffy - so fluffly that it makes me want to ask for a two egg omelette next time. And I asked for vermont cheddar inside the omelette, which I have decided is my new favorite cheese. The frittata zola is basically an egg-sweet potato-crouton-onion pizza, with a thin, thin "open-faced" egg bottom. Divine. Glorious chunks of goat cheese were strewn on the top. The Turkish delight is a spinach and feta cheese (chunk) fiesta with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes on the side WITH two fried/sunnyside eggs nestled right on top of the feta cheese. And man, that crepe was just bursting with fruity goodness. The only downside was that it came with three ginormous blooms of creme fraiche on top, which, given that my cousin is only 8 years old, would send her right into cardiac arrest. The exposed brick walls and teeny photogapher lights only help to heighten the feeling that you are in a Parisian bistro, oddly transplanted in the middle of campus town. The waitresses are awesome - especially considering that the shop is crammed full of chattering people - and they can memorize all of the orders perfectly, no pad or pencil needed. Needless to say, this has become a spot that I need to frequent every time I visit Ann Arbor. (Oh and another clincher? Along with my omelette came a side of hot Zingermen's bread. YUMM!)
(5)
Sarah A.
I hate standing in line. I mean, I HATE standing in line...but waiting for brunch at Cafe Zola is so worth the agony of listening to the rest of the people waiting stand around and be self important. I took a Zola virgin there yesterday for my personal favorite menu item: smoked salmon omelette. That omelette never ceases to amaze me, in fact I had previously been reluctant to try new things on the menu because of the sheer joy I experience while eating this thing! We added spinach and avocado to the omelette because at Zola, you can add pretty much whatever you want to your eggs. It should go without saying that spinach and avocado are fine companions for smoked salmon omelettes! We also ordered a french press of the Ethiopian roast coffee. Yummy, rich, dark caffeinated goodness. I love that I can go to a restaurant and get a full french press just like I would make myself at home. Drip coffee is so not the same...especially in a high-end brunch joint! So go to Zola, but be prepared to wait forever and a day if you have a party of more than two.
(5)
Kim G.
Brunch you say? I'm in. I realized a lot of places in Ann Arbor have exposed brick and nice artwork. When we arrived, they took our name and had us wait at the bar as we ordered some coffee. The best thing was when our name was called, they brought over all 4 coffees to our table for us! I love coffee with my savory entree of choice and this time it was the Turkish Eggs. The spinach fused into the egg white, with a block of feta cheese nestled in between the two yolks, and a burst of color from the ripe tomato slices and kalamata olives. I was intrigued, and it was filling. The portions are pretty large here, and you'll probably have to take your side of potatoes home (and I love that it's a side of potatoes and not toast)! A cafe to enjoy, and the menu is extensive. I even got a peek into the men's room where the mirror has a round lightbulb to frame your face. Am I the first to mention this important detail?
(4)
Amanda L.
My all time favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. What's not to love? Excellent brunch - crepes, omelettes, french toast, turkish delights, and super delicious coffee. The dinner is just as good, if not better. Only issue is that because it is so amazing, there is always a long wait for brunch - be prepared to wait 45+ mins, depending on when you get there. It's also very crowded and loud during brunch time. Dinner is much more intimate.
(5)
Mark S.
Having been a regular at Zola's for breakfast once a week with friends for the better part of a year, we finally looked at each other and wondered what the hell we were doing! The service had steadily gone downhill to the point where at times we wondered if our server was even still in the building. And $6.50 for a large orange juice,... really,..?? The endless cup of coffee is nice, but at the end of the day, you're paying a lot of money for a mediocre breakfast. We've since started on the weekly breakfast tour hitting the other joints around town, and sufficed to say, we're having a blast! To be fair, we have not eaten at Zola's for lunch or dinner.
(2)
Rebecca L.
Brunch 9-16-12 Visiting MI Great atmosphere, good menu options, good service! Despite being pretty packed at 1pm for brunchers on Sunday, we were seated in about 10 minutes and the service that followed was great! We ordered: Smoked Salmon-my friend really liked it but to be honest it didn't look like anything special. Just your standard salmon, bagel, capers, and creme fraiche. Crepe Zola-(opinion of friend that ordered it)mediocre. Not good or bad but lacking some serious flavor. I didn't try it myself but it did look like there wasn't enough basil. I wonder about the tomatoes they use. They looked like steak tomatoes--which are usually watery and not used when making a Caprese salad which is what the Zola is inside of a crepe. Also the moz looked a little yellow and so maybe wasn't the fresh also used with salad. Crepe Champignon-My dish and it was great! I love mushrooms and this was super yummy. Not too heavy a dish--as in it isn't cheesy or really very creamy. I would come back for this one for sure. Also had the potatoes (good!) and the fruit (very fresh and great selection---no overripe melon ruining the bowl as so often happens. Is cantaloupe just that cheap?) Drinks: Mimosas-pricey but I do believe they were made with fresh squeezed juice so I understand the price Kir-white wine poured over blackberry (?) liqueur. This is a good option if you don't want something too sweet as the liqueur is more tart. One star deducted for a combo of mediocre crepe zola and the price of the meal. The entrees were too expensive. Its just a fact. My mushroom crepe was something like $13 and the fruit was $5. Drinks were $9.50. Nothing on the menu was priced reasonably. (and I am from Chicago!)
(4)
Christine F.
We have a few friends in Ann Arbor, and the last few times we've been through this stretch we've gotten dinner at Zola. It's always been very busy when we've gone. Service has always been good. Food has always been tasty. I've had the wild mushroom pasta. It's pasta (I presume fresh) made with a mushroom cream sauce, asparagus and a basil-walnut pesto with herbed goat cheese. Just dreamy. So dreamy. It's as good as it sounds. Way back, in the days of yore, I had a lemon/caper fish, which was also very good. The pasta was more memorable, though. I am a carb fiend... This place is a delicious place for dinnah. Very parent friendly, as well.
(4)
Jamie V.
Absolutely delicious food and drinks. It can be a bit pricy but the food and beverages are totally worth it! The crepes are great and the cocktails are yummy! The coffee is fantastic too. It will not disappoint!
(5)
Joshua G.
The waffles and coffee are excellent! They also have fresh oj and a great selection of teas. Wonderful Omlettes. If you are looking for lunch the salmon burger is amazing and doesn't fall into the category of being a fishy tasty sandwich. The salmon is ground like hamburger meat and the malt fries compliment it well
(5)
Bethany H.
They raised their prices and lowered their value!
(2)
Anne I.
I've been here for brunch and for dinner. A little pricey, but definitely good place for brunch. Dinner is, eh, so-so. I ordered a lox omelette for brunch, and since I was with friends, we ordered fresh fruits for the table. They were delicious, and my omelette was great. On another occasion, I stopped by for dinner and ordered a salmon dish. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best I'd had either. It was really rich and kind of bland. The service was friendly and attentive when I was there, both times. The atmosphere of Cafe Zola is pretty nice; a little fancier and chic than the usual restaurant, so perfect for evening dates and morning get-togethers. Although I'm not sure about the price, I'm guessing it wouldn't be bad for nice drinks for girls-night-out either. If I'm not going for brunch, then I'd go for the ambiance.
(3)
Beth H.
The food is consistantly good, but the service and time between ordering and receiving is poor. when going for a weekday lunch hour, they should hire more staff so people can get service and eat within an hour. Have been there 3 times this year alone, and have waited a solid hour between ordering our salads and getting them on the table. On one such visit we asked for bread during the wait because we were starving. The waitress said our food doesn't come with bread, and she held her ground when we contested, so what comes with our salads... bread. So if you don't mind incompetence, and a long wait, the food is good. But then again, you can get a salad most places downtown. Oh and don't expect to get any beverage refills.
(2)
Sarah W.
This place has so many reviews because it has pretty good food and good atmosphere. It's a clean cut place with the ambiance of a high class cafe. Nice wrap around bar where you can grab a drink or have a coffee. I have been here for brunch and dinner. i have to say the brunch beats dinner hands down. Some of the best things here are the vanilla latte, Turkish brunch , and any of the crepes (savory or sweet). The Turkish brunch gives you your choice of coffee or tea, a plate of cheese, eggs, tomatoes and a basket of all kinds of breads and pastries. It's enough for two people. Make sure you come here early on weekends, there is going to be a wait for sure! Even though the food is best at brunch, it is still a great place to come at night if your out on a date or need a small intimate dinner. There is also outdoor seating in the summer. And don't forget you can get their coffee to go, grab a chocolate croissant too.
(4)
Jeremy M.
I visited this place with a couple friends who live in Michigan and raved about this place and whereas my main dish was just ok, everything else, food, beverage & atmosphere, was amazing and I look forward to trying something else next time I venture that way. I ordered the Frittata Zola which is an Italian open faced omelet that had sweet potato cubes, goat cheese and a type of fresh croutons on top. The lineup sounded outstanding and was very fresh but I felt like the eggs or other ingredients should've been seasoned with something. It had a very bland taste for all of those ingredients and my assumption is it didn't have a pinch of salt or pepper. Now on to the rest which isn't much. The dish I ordered came with some homestyle fries that were amazing. I literally could've just sat there and eaten those alone all day and it's been a while since I felt that way about a potato. The dish also came with some baguette type toast where it and the butter was great. And lastly, the freshly squeezed OJ was the best I'd ever had and I can only imagine they squeezed it for me moments before bringing it to the table, not earlier that morning. It was that good.
(4)
ting b.
Major fan of this place. Never been here for brunch, which I heard is THE time to go, but I've had dinner here twice. First time I had a salmon burger, which was good but not amazing. The second time was amazing. I shared a mussels fado appetizer, the blackened salmon with portabello ravioli, and the herb rubbed bricked roasted chicken with lemon garlic sauce. YUUMMM!!! Literally, we didn't say anything for like 20 something minutes as we stuffed our faces. Also, the service is really great and the atmosphere very casual yet classy. Whoever was in charge of the decor has a strong streak of good taste. Another plus is that the prices are rather reasonable. I'm definitely coming back here again or taking visitors from out of town here.
(5)
nate c.
I've never once had a merely adequate meal at Zola. Good meals tend toward the outstanding, bad ones make you swear up and down that this is the last time you'll be stupid enough to trust your hangover to this kitchen. In brief... Yes, yes, YES!: top-notch wait staff (lately, anyway), the salt and grease explosion that is the Turkish brunch, some very crabby crab cakes, and extra horseradishy Blood Marys. Probably the most pleasant interior of any restaurant in Ann Arbor. For shame: $6 (I swear to god) "market price" orange juice, scattered kitchen incompetence (solid yolks on poached eggs; risible, insubstantial waffles). Also, as even my cat knows, it is essential that there be _two_ towers of egg on any benedict.
(3)
Patrick M.
I'm giving Cafe Zola four stars because my experience there was OK. I enjoyed that the place was very busy, but I was able to get in without a wait. The service was great, my server was very helpful and nice even with the place being so busy. The food was ok but had a lot of potential. I had the Turkish Eggs which I think the eggs were way over cooked. So much so the feta cheese got to be very dry. My wife had a omelet it was basically goat cheese, a big slab of eggs and onions. Good ingredients but not very good in my opinion. I do plan to go back because the food could be better I plan to look at suggestions on yelp before I go next time.
(4)
Christopher L.
Oatmeal is fine Turkish eggs were ok at best Their free bread is incredible
(2)
Hugo S.
On my first visit to Ann Arbor, I showed up early on a Saturday morning after a bizarre red eye flight from LAX to Detroit Metro; unslept and unshowered, we were nonetheless welcomed to a glorious breakfast by the servers at Cafe Zola. A filling breakfast with wonderful coffee -- strong enough to get us through the rest of the day on NO sleep.
(5)
Edward V.
This review is for the weekday breakfast service. My favorite is either the Turkish Brunch (with a big basket of pastries) or the Turkish Eggs (baked with spinach and feta). Delicious, both of them. This is the place downtown that you are most likely to see people having a power breakfast, and one of the few places you'll see people before 8am wearing suits and ties.
(4)
Jan S.
This place is really great, the atmosphere, the food, the service. Definitely recommend! The only con was how close together all the tables are, but I guess it is a trade off.
(4)
the actual s.
love it love it love it! i have been here twice. both times everything was excellent. the staff is friendly and fast. the first time i went i got a bagel and eggs with asparagus. yum. the bagel was wonderful. they have a great selection of tea and the coffee is good. the second time i must say i went a little over board on the mimosas. i rang up a pretty big check because of it but it was sooo worth it. i got a crape with egg, Havarti ham and i added bacon. it was great. i have not had the pleasure of getting any dinner items yet cause everytime i have been there it was for breakfast. its a little expensive for a breakfast but its worth it. just go!!! please try it. i love it and im sure you will too.
(5)
Cathy H.
Zola is located on one of the off shoot streets from Main, and it is a very popular brunch place. I am amazed this is an Ann Arbor restaurant. When I enter Zola, I think I am in California because the eggs are as fresh as those delivered straight from Petaluma. Zola serves up the best omelets with the freshest ingredients and herbs. The best part of breakfast is topping it off with wickedly strong Turkish coffee.
cafe zola sure has grown up. i guess i have too since my first visit as a humble 2nd year having coffee with a professor. same brick walls and nice sunshine, but the vibe and offerings are much more sophisticated. back in those days cafe zola was more of a coffee shop cafe with food. these days zola is a restaurant with coffee. i have been for brunch here twice and both times really liked it. the first time i had a bloody mary, coffee, and an omelette with goat cheese and asparagus. it was a lovely meal and my two girlfriends and i leisurely chatted our way through drinks, food, and coffee all of which were very good. my most recent stop i had a late lunch. the grilled vegetable salad was YUM and the balsamic dressing was great. there could have been more veggies though--i think that i saw 2 tiny little beets cubes. i love roasted beets. the service for brunch with the girls was great--constant coffee refills (which is all that really matters at brunch). the service for my solo lunch not so good. no water refills and i asked twice for lemon for the agua and it never came =( overall though the next time i'm in ann arbor i know i'll be back.
(4)
Michael L.
Russian Caravan tea. omlettes. crepes. drinks, man, it was years ago, but so good in my mind. man, one place i really miss.
(5)
Adam H.
Best brunch in ann arbor! Great tea selection, and amazing fries.
(5)
B.J. S.
I had an amazing breakfast here while visiting from out-of-town. The service was excellent and the food was fantastic. I'm here in Ann Arbor for a few days and I'll definitely go back at least one more time.
(5)
Marie H.
Cafe Zola is overpriced, but worth it for brunch as well as cocktails. The first time I ever went I got the mushroom crepe which was huge but had very odd tasting sauce that was an unappealing shade of grey. It kept me away for a long time until I tried the Turkish eggs; 2 baked eggs with spinach, a huge slab of feta cheese and some cucumbers, tomatoes, and assorted olives. The waffles, pancakes, and omlettes all look good, but I always get the Turkish eggs now because they are awesome and worth the price. The dinner menu looks overpriced and uninspired to me, but the cocktails there are fantastic, namely because not only do they have Hendrick's gin, but they aren't afraid to use a little Campari from time to time. I hate bitters, but I respect a place that will serve the classics, none of that goofy blue curaco here my friends! Be warned however that the coffee is spiked with either meth or crack, more than one cup will surely cause heart palpitations and some apraxias. It took hours for me to come down after having two cups of coffee, which would normally not make a dent.
(4)
Sarah C.
this is my absolute favorite place to get brunch. the wait is often long on the weekends, esp sunday, but i feel it's well worth it. the omelets, crepes, and waffles are so yummy. they have a good seletion of tea too! i loved this place so much for brunch i was wary to go there later in the day. i went once for lunch and was not impressed. since then, i have gone back for salads/appetizers and drinks. their drinks are so good! be sure to try the pimm's cup and they make a mean mojito!
(5)
Joanna C.
This place has great ambiance and fabulous mojitos. The dinner menu is not cheap, but the lamb chops are worth it. I did happen to notice that all the wait staff are ridiculously gorgeous women, not that I swing that way, but if you are looking for some eye candy to accompany the good food, I thought I'd throw that in there. Brunch is what they are known for, but honestly, I don't think it's anything special. And contrary to what others think, I don't love the crepes there. By the time it gets to your table, it's already cold and somewhat bland. But all in all, if you are looking for a great dinner place and want to try somewhere new, check out Zola.
(4)
Nupur L.
Very nice coffee drinks, crepes and omelettes. I also love the french fries with their in-house ketchup and aioli. You can take or leave the waffles. The atmosphere is both hip and pleasant. My only negative experience here was when I ordered Turkish coffee with the Turkish delight and they told me after I had ordered that they ran out of Turkish delight-and still charged me the same amount. Lame.
(4)
Jon L.
Great date place, nice atmosphere and good enough food/prices to impress.
(4)
Coco C.
Zola is good, but if you are going to drop a lot of cash for fancy-ish-er food, you're better off going to Eve.
(3)
Chris S.
When I'm here for brunch I feel like I'm back in San Francisco. Very good food at reasonable prices. Insanely crowded at prime brunch time . Beat the long line by dining at the bar. I dig the little carafes they give you for your coffee refills. I've only had brunch here but I bet dinner isn't bad. Looks nice in the evening--dimly lit, cozy.
(4)
Susan L.
Solid brunch place. Friendly service. Try the chai, you get to mix the honey and cream in yourself. Crepes are hard to come by in Ann Arbor and they make a pretty good one.
(4)
Cecilia P.
My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. The food is expensive, but delicious. The cocktails are the best in town, made the old-fashioned way with real sour (not some mix containg high fructose corn syrup). There's a lot of labor involved in the $8 drinks--you can see why they cost more. The food is fresh and tasty--I've been here for brunch, for romantic dates, for dinner with my friends, for drinks, for every occasion. It never fails to impress.
(5)
Teeks L.
I grew up in New York City, so brunch is in my genes. My husband and I were visiting Ann Arbor for the weekend and decided on a whim to get brunch at Cafe Zola. We got there around 10:30am, and I expected a long wait - that's peak time at a good brunch place. But we were seated right away, and got our coffee very quickly. Our waitress was polite, quick and kept out of our way except when we needed refills. (The waitresses here are uniformly painfully beautiful, so much so that my husband was teasing me for staring). The food was AMAZING - even the english muffin that my eggs benedict came on was a fluffy, sourdough cloud. His waffle came with berries so fresh I swear they grow them in the back; the whipped cream was *not* out of a can, and the waffle itself was sweet but not cloying, light and rich at the same time. My husband's bellini was, well, just good. The only so-so thing about the experience. There were plenty of families with small kids but it wasn't too loud, we could have a normal-volume conversation. It was reasonably priced, for brunch - would be much more reasonable without the alcohol. All in all I was really impressed, and tempted to say it's the best brunch I've ever had. It was hands down the best brunch I've ever had outside NYC, no question.
(5)
Alan M.
Ate there for dinner on Sunday night. Service: If I want to rush through something, I'll go to a NASCAR race or something like that. The waitress took my girlfriend's salad practically mid-bite, asked us if we wanted dessert menus halfway through our entrees, then asked if we wanted the bill just a couple of minutes later. Of course, once we were done, it took forever to get the bill (perhaps the waitress realized she was rushing us too much). If I'm paying $28 for an entree, I expect to be treated like a valued customer, not a number. Food: The bread and salads were great. The entrees...so-so. I got the scallops, which were prepared reasonably well. But there wasn't much to the dish, just scallops and red wine reduction. Compare to Pacific Rim, where one can order the scallops for the same price and get the most amazing flavor explosion. My girlfriend had the mushroom pesto ravioli. The pesto was fantastic (when isn't pesto), but the rest of the dish was merely adequate. Overall, underwhelming for Ann Arbor. I will say that I had brunch there on one previous occasion and had no complaints. Nothing spectacular, but good brunch food.
(2)
John M.
3.5 stars. excellente waffles, kindly service, annoying art, sometimes lame bands. very "ann arbor".
(3)
Mark S.
Came here after a disappointing experience at Bigalora. Much better! This place is awesome!!
(5)
Margot F.
Zola's barista/bartender finishes lattes with a swirling leaf that draws the crema into the foam cap, the chef can be seen handling the delicate crepes through a glass window into the kitchen, and the servers dress casually during the day and button up at night, but their perfectly elegant and minimalist service is as consistent as their long black aprons. The omlettes, salads, soup, and sandwiches available during the day are served either on or with Zingerman's bakehouse bread; sweet and savory crepes and waffles are also available until the tablecloths, candles, and cloth napkins appear and Zola transforms into a casual dinner restaurant with a wine list mostly just out of range for my grad student budget and entrees in the $20 range. Menu names suggest Turkish inspiration, but the havarti and stilton are unequivocally Danish and the goat cheese they like to serve baked until smooth and creamy has absolutely got to be French. Other entrees like the seafood burger and wild mushroom pasta evoke cuisines from Asia to Argentina, although the plurality of the stops on the fusion flight are in Europe. House-made dressings like the lemony, minty dressing on the house salad and the pineapple chutney served with the gulf shrimp are fantastic. Vibrant modern art, unframed and clipped to exposed pipes, brightens the exposed brick and wood decor, accented with bar-stools stained a deep red and the white and black tables and tile. Everything about Zola feels effortlessly, un-self-consciously hip and at ease in both its day and night incarnations. It's a perfect place for brunch, particularly when it's warm enough for the patio tables to come back outside, an afternoon crepe with coffee or half a pot of tea (served in a french press), or a nice dinner that won't pretend to be "fine dining," the downfall of so many other Ann Arbor restaurants in Zola's peer group.
(4)
Megan C.
This review is only for the brunch at Cafe Zola, not for other meals. I've had brunch here twice now, and both times it was a disappointment. The positive things: the coffee is good, the waitress was very friendly, the potatoes that come with an omelet are delicious. The bad: The omelets here are huge and mostly flavorless. They are thick and bland. The toast we got with our meal was like a rock; it had obviously been toasted long before and just tossed on a plate for us. It's way too expensive for what you get. There are so many breakfast places in Ann Arbor that are far superior: Angelo's, Aut Bar, and Northside Grill are my favorites. Breakfast/brunch at those places is always an awesome experience. Cafe Zola just seems over-hyped and over-priced, at least for brunch. I am not a crepe person, so maybe that's where I've gone wrong; but it seems like if you offer like 15 omelets on your menu you should at least know how to make a decent one. Especially if you're charging $12 for it.
(3)
Roger G.
Service was prompt and the food was great. I ordered the "small plate" mussels, which came out with about 1.25 lbs of mussels, and the shrimp taco, which was absolutely fabulous. I will most assuredly go back
(5)
Kari g.
Salmon hash! Mmmmmm!! Also tried the crab cake breakfast and shakshuka. This place was awesome! Busy... But the wait was not long!
(4)
Rafa R.
I love this place. I've been for dinner but I hear it's even better for breakfast and brunch. Service is good, wine selection is nice and food is excellent. The Caprese Salad (mozarella, tomatoes, basil, olive oil) is delicious and is large enough that I've had it split into two servings. I usually opt for their off-menu special entrees and have never been disappointed, especially with the seafood. The last time I was there I had a whole bronzini en papillote (whole fish baked in parchment). It was cooked to perfection, juicy and full of flavor. I'm also a huge fan of the tuna and scallop entrees.
(5)
C C.
Zola is an all-around great restaurant for breakfast and lunch. They have a variety of items on their menu. I think the Zola specials are the best. The decor is cute. We had the Turkish Eggs and french toast on challah bread, and both were really good. The espresso drinks were delicious. It's a solid place for breakfast.
(4)
Jessica S.
Amazing brunch and service. The coffee is strong and delicious. Their specials are seasonal and were quite unique. I'd recommend this little gem to anyone!
(5)
Ken Z.
Had lunch here this past Saturday. First the bad. Wait was longer than we were told. When we checked in again with server, miraculously a table was ready. Once we ordered, waitress left our table, checked in with some other tables, and then came back to make sure she remembered our order correctly before putting it in with the kitchen. Why the delay/second visit? Just write it down the first time and go put it in right away. The good: Salmon Hash with Dill sauce and eggs (I chose scrambled) $14.95 was excellent and came with a bread basket (Zingerman's?). Turkish brunch item ($12.95) was raved about by companion - she always gets it there. Side of fruit was $5.75. Order of pancakes $9. Food great, service okay. Maybe better when it is less busy?
(4)
Nancy C.
I have heard a lot of great things about Cafe Zola, and it seems to be THE place to bring your family out to for brunch when they come visit. I'm not sure I agree, unfortunately. The omelettes are good and the portion size is decent, but pricy for what they are. My friend ordered the chilled lobster avocado salad here, which looked great but was pitifully small. Sigh.
(3)
Rachael F.
Best. Restaurant. In. Ann Arbor. I do not make these choices lightly, and the icing on the cake is that it's equally as amazing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It took me until the night before graduation (obv a "my parents are in town so they'll get the bill" kinda spot) to make it there for dinner, but it left my pallet wanting more. So that's just what I did when I came back to visit as an alumni last week - got more. Much, much more. Brunch here really cannot be beat. After scrutinizing the menu beforehand, I already knew exactly what I wanted, but it was still a huge internal struggle to resist the temptation of ordering every item they offered. I went with the omelette provencale, mostly because of the caramelized onions (and added spinach...I love my omelets with spinach), and suffice it to say it was heaven on a fork. Despite being completely full halfway through, I couldn't help but lick my plate clean. Thankfully I had the whole day to walk it off and would've been ready to go for round 2!
(5)
Scott G.
Went during restaurant week, our 3rd visit in a year. Started with the shrimp taco as part of the fixed three course menu. Was very tasty, though hard to eat (small taco stuffed with shrimp...had to eat 1/2 of it with a fork before I could pick it up). My girlfriend started with the chowder, which came out luke warm. If it were hotter, it would have been more enjoyable. We both had the Fresh Kale salad, which was bland and a bit disappointing. Could have used a dressing with more taste. For the main course, I had the lamb which was very good. She had the short ribs, which, like the chowder, was luke warm and would have been better if it was a served a bit hotter. Guessing this was a result of them making a lot of these courses as part of the fixed menu. Overall, I'd give this meal a 3, but based on our other two visits, don't want to knock the restaurant too much. It's a nice place, has a cozy feel to it, and I like the martini and overall drink menu. Service is always good, though it does get crowded and there was a wait last night by 7:30 (we dined at 6PM and made a reservation, which I'd recommend). On a prior visit, we had breakfast and it was very good.
(4)
Nancy K.
K and I have been coming here for a few years for brunch, usually with our dear friends from E. Lansing. It's pricey, especially considering breakfast is usually the cheapest meal to eat out. Here's the thing, though: you get what you pay for and at Zola you are getting the best breakfast in town. I always stick with the Americana but have often tried my companions dishes. If they have it, get a side of asparagus - they cook it perfectly. The bread with rosemary butter is also sublime but don't fill up before your meal comes (better yet, request the bread come with your meal). Before today's visit I haven't written a review because the service was always so horrific I couldn't figure out how to score it. We are talking downright nastiness from the woman usually serving as hostess who we think is the owner down to the kids bussing tables. It made the experience less than stellar. Apparently they got the message, because today, from the second we walked in the door, we were greeted with warmth and friendliness. The girl working as hostess, despite her ridiculously short and tight skirt, was incredibly nice and our waiter, Nick, could not have been more awesome. If you've avoided Zola because of the attitude problem, it's time to try it out - just get there early before the crowds!
(4)
Betsy L.
Good food (but not-to-die) for with inflated Ann Arbor rates. Having dined here various times over the past decade, I give the place a 3 because of how they run their business. All their servers are treated poorly. I gather this from observing and from all the many stories I hear from the servers themselves. I figure the restaurant owners get away with it because of their popularity in town.
(3)
Emily F.
I order the Fritatta Zola every time! It is that good in my opinion and there is always some to take home, great reheated later that day. Bloody Mary is excellent! This is a favorite brunch spot for my girlfriends and I.
(5)
Lindsay C.
Let's Share! sweet and savory please... Waffles and lattes are delish! I love waffles and pancakes but I usually end up really hungry so I have to get something savory too. Waffles have a nice crunch and it's made with greek yogurt. I can't put my finger on what it reminds me of but it's something asian and good. Best latte I've had since I've been in Ann Arbor. All those chain store places Starbucks, Einsteins, etc just can't live up to this. I've been here twice and never really had to wait for a table. I tried the turkish eggs as highly recommended came highly recommended by yelpers and I was... NOT impressed... tastes like it sounds, feta, spinach, eggs... probably great for someone who is vegetarian or wants a healthy breakfast but I'm dining out... I want flavors! I should have got something fancy like eggs benedict My friend ordered the omelette which for $10 you get folded egg?... everything else you have to add apparently so he added some sausage and cheese.... $15 later... it was just decent. I'd come back for their waffles, maybe try their crepes, and a a latte. Hold the french toast (I just don't like FT in general).
(4)
Ömer K.
This is a must go restaurant in Ann Arbor !! If you go there during the rush hour, you'd still enjoy it but service will not be as fast. Staff is really friendly and nice. I went there multiple times for dinner and had their lamb chops, OMG... They were really nicely cooked and served. Also try their shrimp tacos, they are great even though a little hard to eat. If you'd like be there during the rush hour, make sure you have a reservation though... sometimes it is really hard to find seats when you walk in without a reservation.
(5)
Amaryllia L.
Had Saturday morning brunch here and somehow lucked out and didn't have to wait at all! Everything on the menu sounded super delicious and I was sooo excited when we finally got our food. I got the Salmon Hash with horseradish cream sauce ($15) and my brunch buddy ordered the Turkish eggs ($13.50). We also got a half pot of green tea for $6.50. Although I really wanted to like this place, I thought the food turned out pretty mediocre, especially considering the price tags. The Turkish eggs made me feel like I was eating spinach that comes frozen in a block and the salmon in the Salmon Hash seemed more like canned meat than freshly cooked. If I have another occasion to come back, perhaps I should try waffles and crepes.
(3)
Cindy C.
I was so excited to have brunch here with my friends when I was home for a weekend, and I have always loved dining here. This time, though, even WITH a reservation, we had to wait over 45 minutes to get a table, and we shrank in size since some people had other appointments they had to get to and couldn't stay and wait. We did have a group of 8, which then went down to a 6 from having to wait so long, and it was on a Sunday, so that was understandable that they were finding it hard to get us all a table. They are infamous for their waitstaff turnover rate, so maybe this explains what happened after we were seated. Our server was very obviously frazzled and in a rush to get our drink order, she seemed very impatient the whole time, and after we got our food she never came back to check on us, just to drop our checks without asking if we needed anything else. So after waiting for so long to get a table, then we felt super rushed by her to get out. Maybe I wanted a bloody mary after my brunch but I didn't get to decide, oh well. Some of us ended up going to The Wafel Shop and splitting an amazing wafel topped with berries and whipped cream for dessert after, which was a very nice, quiet, and calm experience with nice service in comparison. Service aside, Zola's food is still great, I had the salmon bagel plate. It is pricey, even for Ann Arbor, but worth it for a nice treat. I just wouldn't go there again unless they were a bit slower and there was no wait, as the experience was less than stellar. Must get: Any of the crepes, that great open face omelet, Hediye's breakfast, salmon plate, Salade Zola with the toasted goat cheese, their fresh squeezed OJ Must go: When they're not packed and no line...
(3)
Patrick T.
Expensive, but if you can ignore the prices, the food is pretty good. The omelettes are well made with high-quality ingredients. I'm always a sucker for a smoked salmon omelette, and they do it right. The waffles items are sweet and delicious. The snowball waffle is topped with ice cream and you can't really go wrong there. I'm not a huge fan of the savory crepes, but to each their own. As far as lunch, there's no better way to spend a sunny late afternoon than sitting outside Zola enjoying a $20 hamburger and a mojito. Fortunately for your wallet, it's not sunny and warm all that often in Ann Arbor.
(3)
Divi P.
Food - 5 stars Service - 4 stars Person in charge of seating - 0 stars Cafe Zola has always been one of my favorite places for brunch in Ann Arbor and the server and the food have never ceased to be anything short of awesome BUT for the first time we felt a little jerked around by the lady in charge of seating. I am sure it is a stressful tough job, but all your clientele ask is a little honesty. We called in advance and were told 20 minutes but she cldnt put our name on the list till we got there. When we got there we put our name on the list and were told 15-20 minutes which was fine. However it was 45 minutes (and counting) before we finally were told if we would sit outside (with the bees) we would be seated immediately - come to learn there were at least two other groups of 4 who had been there over an hour but cldnt sit outside because of the bees so they were still waiting - once we were seated the food and service were upto par, a little pricey bt you know that going into cafe Zola but I felt obliged to write a review when I learnt how many people had come thinking they were waiting for 20 minutes, only to be waiting well over an hour - we had a flight to catch - had we knows it would be an hour we would have gone elsewhere
(3)
Justin L.
meh...this place was ok... I went for Sunday brunch and we got seated quickly at the bar thankfully. I got the Turkish eggs and it was not really what I was expecting. Other plates we ate were only okay as well. I do like the fact that they ask you if you want split checks beforehand. They must get a lot of those requests with college kids around all the time.
(3)
Farhaad R.
I always come here with great hopes... And I'm continually disappointed. I can't justify the price considering I've had 3 mediocre brunches... A crepe, a salad and an omelet. The omelet was the best of the bunch, and was cooked perfectly - but probably wasn't worth the wait or the price. It's unfortunate that this place has one of the better interiors amongst brunch venues because that's really the only draw. I'll probably end up eating here again when out-of-towners come to visit... But I won't enjoy the food.
(3)
Becky P.
Brunch food is good, but I just spent an hour and a half waiting for food. About to walk out.
(2)
Robert B.
My absolutely favorite place to eat and to bring out-of-towners for breakfast or brunch. Can't beat the lively atmosphere. You can't find a better breakfast in a2. It's worth the wait on the busiest days.
(5)
J R.
Zola. What is going on? We used to love coming through your doors, for the last 14 years -- except for the last visit last week. Food was meh, no love put into it while the waitress clearly was recovering from the night before and forgot everything. Perhaps we got an off moment, but for us it was off-putting as the food definitely required more love for the price being charged. Appears that we will moving on, parting is such sweet sorrow.
(2)
Rachel B.
Came here for a bite to eat before a show. It was a Saturday night and they got us in with no wait (awesome). Got the Kobe burger which seemed right for the price ($15). Asked for the burger medium and it came out well done. Didn't have enough time to get a new one so I ate it and although it was overcooked it wasn't horrible. The fries have Parmesan and rosemary on them- nice touch. Homemade ketchup is delicious although it tastes nothing like the ketchup from a Heinz bottle. Friends got the crab cakes- completely over priced. Two 2" crab cakes for $15. I work in a fine dining restaurant and prices don't usually shock me but that was a horrible portion. Server was not very attentive and we watched as every other table in the restaurant got a bread basket with some sort of olive and butter plate (some even before they ordered dinner), and we never received one nor were we asked if we wanted any. Overall, I don't think I would ever return.
(2)
Melissah L.
My boyfriend and I had a great Saturday morning brunch here at Cafe Zola. I loved the buzzing atmosphere and the fabulous service. There was a little bit of a wait to be seated, but since there were only two of us it only ended up being about ten minutes. We sat at a cute table outside, and our waiter was really attentive and nice. My boyfriend ordered the kobe brunch burger and I had salmon hash. I was pleasantly surprised when our food came to find that the servings were quite large. My boyfriend loved his burger, and I thought my salmon hash was pretty good. It got a bit boring after my first few bites, but I added some salt and mixed in some egg yolk and that helped things a bit. Definitely could have used a bit more flavor, but overall I was impressed the overall experience and I would definitely come back!
(4)
S R.
I honestly don't understand the fuss, Ann Arbor needs more brunch options if this is it's most highly rated one. I find the food mediocre (at best) and the waitstaff stuffy and elitist. And don't get me started on the owner who runs the hostess stand on the weekends, she's a witch!! I heard her go OFF on one of her hosts in front of a full waiting room. She seems like a nasty woman; not someone I want to give my money to. Overrated.
(1)
Annette J.
Seriously, Zola! How you gonna make the best strawberry and banana waffle ever?! I mean, honestly! It's just a waffle! With fresh strawberries and bananas! And yet, you've got me craving this ish on a regular basis! How does that happen? Ah right! Quality control! Excellent ingredients! The right proportions. REAL WHIPPED CREAM. That's right. You got it. And your crepes? Oh man. The spiced apple crepe with the cranberries and pecans (or was it walnuts? They're both good so it's cool). The perfect fall meal! Love. It. The steamed milk and honey? The most soothing beverage you can get. There can be a wait but it's worth it. And it's usually not too bad (if you're a late riser like I am anyway). The patio outside is lovely for warm days but the inside is loud and bustling. Quite the pick me up! Menu choices abound! Not just waffles and crepes but Mediterranean plates, omelets and other egg dishes, salads, sandwiches, coffee, smoothies, ahhhh! So many choices! Thank goodness my trusty waffle is so good that I never have to worry about feeling overwhelmed. But it's good to know if I'm feeling like a savory dish that I've got options. Many, many options. And they do dinner too! But that's for another day. I'm too stuck on these waffles right now....
Very good service. If you want to add/subtract to your dish, they accomodate willingly. A level of sophistication AND quality that is pleasing. Worth visiting and enjoying.
(5)
R S.
Zola is overpriced for what you receive and not worth the wait--though if pressed to choose would prefer the downtown location to the "Zola Bistro" outpost on Washtenaw. An asparagus and goat cheese omelette should have more than a few ceremonial spears of asparagus and a grudging dab of cheese for the $15 price on the menu.
Which do you choose? The restaurant that has a 45 min wait, a crowd loitering amongst the tables on their outside patio or stop in a place that has no wait and you're the only souls? You go with the wait! Your taste buds will thank you happily for waiting. Cafe Zola is a must on the Ann Arbor culinary tour. There is a reason it's packed and you'll wait, because it's good, very good. Lets start with the pretty latte they brought out. Flavors were good, but it's worth noting that the design they drew gave a very nice presentation. The good stuff now! The salmon hash with horseradish creme sauce. How often do you get to eat salmon hash. The hash was prepared very well, rich with the salmon flavor, but not too fishy or overpowering. Cutting into those fried eggs and allowing the yolk to soak up in the hash, creates a perfect mortar, tying the salmon, hash, and eggs all together. It now has a full body flavor. Just when you think the dish is complete, comes the horseradish creme sauce with a little bite to the flavor complimenting the salmon. You want that spicy, horseradish kick to the hash to really make it sing. We couldn't resist and had to try the chocolate and banana crepe as well. Since this was an eating adventure post Big House Big Run 5/10k event, we were craving some more food and carbs. Onto dessert! Many chocolate and banana crepes, served traditionally without ice cream, Zola's comes with it. I would say the bananas were a little mushy and not caramelized enough, but still went well with the chocolate nutella, ice cream, and a thin sweet crepe.
(4)
Brad S.
I was searching for a brunch place on Sunday morning in A squared. My first two choices opened later so I went to #3, Cafe Zola. I liked the look and feel of the place inside and the food choices and taste were good, but there is something about waitstaff that just don't seem that happy to be there that is a major turnoff especially when you're paying $15 for two eggs and sausage. I wouldn't mind trying later in the day as maybe they were out too late the prior night, but I can't give it any more than 3 stars right now.
(3)
Bianca P.
So I've always liked this place for breakfast. Their food is fresh and their smoothies are yummy, but recently, my parents and I went to Zola's for dinner. Now Zola's feels completely different at dinner time (they even cover the tables in white tablecloths) but the food was as fresh as ever. We started with the eggplant crostini and the roasted chickpeas which were super tasty. Then we had a kale and red apple salad which was really lovely. For our entrees I had a salmon burger which was cooked beautifully, my father has the rainbow trout (special) and it was really rich and flavourful and, honestly, I forgot what my mom ordered, but she enjoyed it.
PROS: Their food is pretty darn good - it's on the top of my favorite brunch restaurant list. Their Belgian waffles with orange butter and maple syrup are tough to beat and they have some great savory crepes including the Florentine crepe. The atmosphere is unique and it's well decorated with some original art pieces and if you get there at a decent time, you don't have to wait too long. CONS: while the atmosphere is updated, when they're busy, the noise of the restaurant is difficult to ignore. I do love that that a local business is flourishing, but it's frustrating when they're busy and it's difficult to hear those with you. The menu is a little on the pricier side but competitive for the downtown Ann Arbor area.
(4)
Corynne G.
Moderately priced, love the atmosphere, food is good. I'll return :)
(4)
Sara B.
I've had mixed experiences here at best. The service is sometimes spotty, especially when they get busy, and there is ALWAYS a wait on Weekends. I don't mean a 15 minute wait either, I mean a line around the block that totally isn't justified hour wait. The best experience I had here was when I got a waffle with fruit topping and a mimosa. Was it worth the 28 or so dollars? Not really, but it was very good. However, both of the crepes I've tried were lackluster, dry, and slight on the fillings. If there's no line and you can manage to get the right thing it's good, but if you have to wait and you get crepe, I would say it's not worth it.
(3)
Olivia P.
I don't come here often because there's often a line for weekend brunches, but today it was raining so there wasn't that much of a wait. Anyway, I decided to try something different this time. I had Zola's Crab Cake Benedict. A little pricey at $15.95 but I wanted to try it since I really enjoy crab cake benedicts. Unfortunately I was quite disappointed. Basically, it was 1 crab cake served on one half of an english muffin, and an egg on the other half of the muffin. I changed my egg from being done over easy to just plain egg whites. First off, I paid an extra $2.95 for changing a serving of one egg to egg whites. Way too pricey in my opinion (consider paying 1-2 dollars for changing a serving of 2 or 3 eggs to egg whites at other breakfast joints) and definitely would not have changed it if I knew I was going to pay that much. Next, the crab cake. While the dish came with only 1 crab cake, I must say that it was really packed with a lot of crab meat. There were too many chopped peppers and onions inside for my liking though. Paid $18.90 before tax and tip for my crab cake benedict. Don't think I'll get it again from Cafe Zola and would probably stick with something like the Champignon Crepe. If i want my fix of crab cake benedict, I'll probably head to Angelos. Better bang for for your buck ($9.99 for 2 crab cakes and 2 eggs) and more flavorful.
(3)
Jessica R.
Cafe Zola is expensive, but is always a great meal. I've had dinner here several times; their burgers are insanely good, and their general meals (half chicken, e.g.) are creative and filling. For brunch, the Turkish Breakfast blows my mind. The omelettes and milkshakes are also great. In the summer you can sit outside. The sun really beats down on you, though.
(4)
Rina N.
This brunch spot is legit. I highly recommend the classic Belgian waffle as they use Greek yogurt in their batter which I think makes a world of a difference! (Crispy and moist!!) Salmon hash is my favorite so far, coffee is a little too expensive for fair trade (3.50) and bitter taste, but that's my personal opinion and coffee preference :)
(4)
Crystal M.
First time coming here, I thought this place would be good because of other reviews but I was definitely wrong. The server took too long to get my order and would disappear for a long time when I needed something. There was only a few people eating here at the time as well. My entree was very small. The raw tuna had no flavor. It was just plain with avocado. The sauce was all on the bottom. There was way too much, it overwhelmed everything else. I think it was just soy sauce or something of that sort. The two pieces of bread that came with it was hard and tasted like it had wasabi in it. I spent too much on this dish. It was not worth what I had to pay. Next time I come to Ann Arbor again, this is not on my list of restaurants to go to.
(2)
Tom R.
Stopped in on way home from Ann Arbor. I really like places like this, diverse menu, bar, coffee, and all done well. Perfect for brunch time.
(4)
Sami S.
Love this place! I like their brunch better than dinner but the service is great and they are really friendly.
(4)
Khiang S.
Great restaurant for breakfast. You step in and light music is playing in the background. waitresses are dressed in their own fun way. That along made this place feels fun and energetic. I sat at the bar and service was quick. Good selection of breakfast items. Opted for a vegetarian omelette this am. Nice big portion. Had the Provençal omelette. Just a fun place to hangout.
(4)
Victoria S.
Whatever you do, do NOT go here on a Sunday. EVER. First, we were told our wait was 30-40 minutes when we arrived at 11. We waited over an hour because they accommodated a party of 18. Yes. EIGHTEEN. On an overcrowded post-Michigan Football Sunday morning. This party should have been forced to split up into smaller groups or find a new restaurant. Second, they RAN OUT OF COFFEE. HOW in the name of Columbia does a place known for it's brunch RUN OUT OF COFFEE ON A SUNDAY??!! We had 4 coffee drinkers at our table and from time to time our waitress would stop by with one of their small coffee urns which barely fill a single person's cup, let alone the four of us! Third, half of our food for our party was served tepid or ice cold, including a waffle and a crepe, both of which were sent back to the kitchen to be reheated or remade. The waffle, which had previously been covered in whipped cream, was MICROWAVED, turning it into a rubbery squishy mess. Thank goodness the manager comp'd that one, otherwise there would've been hell to pay. Fourth, and certainly not least, our party of six was squeezed around a table for four in the corner of the restaurant, and waited on by one of the worst servers I've encountered in Ann Arbor. Overall, this was the final nail in the coffin for me at Zola, and as much as I love the Turkish Brunch, I don't think I'll be going back again.
(1)
Emine S.
I'm Turkish. The owner of Zola is Turkish. If there is one thing Turks take very seriously is..... Oh! Surprise, surprise! Breakfast and Brunch. This restaurant is legit. From the breads, the butters, the coffees, the teas, the need to showcase Turkish pride as Turkish items are freckled throughout the menu. Now I must admit, I'm not not proud of it, I haven't tried anything but the Turkish Brunch and Turkish eggs (blame my father). But every time I had it I was whisked back to the Bospherus sitting in sunshine and admiring the gorgeous views Istanbul has to offer. That woman is serious about her restaurant and only quality items go in. It's a must try of Ann Arbor.
(5)
Alice C.
do you realize that there is a bagel on the menu that costs $17???? sure, it has a couple slices of smoked salmon on it, but so do thousands of other places, including some in very expensive cities like new york and san francisco, and NONE OF THEM COST SEVENTEEN DOLLARS. minus one star for that ridiculousness. minus another star for the pretentious attitudes of both zola and the staff. poor staff -- I hear they are poorly treated. anyhoo, 3 stars for the delicious food, excellent ambiance, local artwork on the walls, and for making crabcakes that I dream about.
(3)
Nicole L.
Zola definitely wins for the loveliest brunch in town. I've never had something that wasn't extraordinary, and they have some of the greatest omelets I've ever had. Pick a time without the rush (or even when you can sit outside) and it's perfection.
(5)
Blair R.
Cafe Zola is an Ann Arbor staple and with good reason. I've only ever visited for brunch but the menu options are expansive and interesting. I've had omelets, the turkish eggs and the turkish brunch and haven't been disappointed. The food is substantial with fresh and tasty ingredients. I especially love that Cafe Zola loves feta almost as much of me. MMM! I can also probably eat the entire bread basket and be happy. The prices are high, especially for a sunday brunch. Also -- sometimes i want a place that is simple and classic -- Cafe Zola is not that.
(4)
Ari Z.
Great food. Clean cooking. Always satisfied. A little pricey and expect to wait on the weekends.
(5)
Tina M.
I had one of the sweet crepes and it's not what I expected (too buttery), but that's probably partially on me for misreading the menu. My friend had the savory mushroom crepe and it was delicious! The seating outside is uncomfortably tight - you can't help but hear conversations from the tables on either side of yours. I don't live in Ann Arbor but will go back when I visit again. Huge menu!
(3)
Derek W.
Not a good experience. We made reservations for 7:45 on a Saturday night for five people. We all arrived on time. We waited 50 minutes past our reservation time to get seated. Every time a slightly larger party arrived they would seat them first even if they had a later reservation. One of those parties knew we had been waiting over half an hour and offered to buy us a drink when they got seated first, which is more than the management of the restaurant did for us. I would have much preferred that they had simply told us early on that they were not going to honor reservation than to keep us there by saying "just five more minutes" for the last 30 minutes of our wait. The hostess said "we will make it up to you" but no effort was made in that direction. My guess is that they take as many reservation as they can and don't care if they overbook. It made for a bad dining experience and made us so late we had to cancel our other plans. As to the food, I would say that the appetizers were pretty good (especially the stuffed peppers) and the salads were fresh and tasty. However the entrees were pretty pedestrian servings of expensive meat in butter and a bit tasteless for $30+ per plate.
(1)
Samantha G.
this is probably the nicest atmosphere/food combo I have found in Ann Arbor in the few weeks I've been here. Delicious cocktails started things off well, and a really nice variety of food options made my picky-eating parents very happy. We had a lamb kofte appetizer, carrot-ginger soup, and I had scallops on pasta in a refreshing lemon cream sauce. Our waitress was extremely attentive and I think she steered us all in the right direction in terms of what to order and how much. The restaurant is nicely decorated and there's a fair amount of space for groups - good for small-ish celebrations/occasions. My only complaint was that there were some kids running around and causing a ruckus that got to be a little disruptive, but that wasn't the restaurant's fault. Great place for an interesting and tasty meal!
(5)
Rebekah H.
$3.50 for coffee is absurd. This place used to have my two thumbs up everytime, but no one can charge $3.50 for mediocre lukewarm coffee and $13 for eggs and keep my business. Fyi, Zola, this is not new york. And even in new york, no one charges $3.50 for coffee, except Sarabeth's, but they shouldn't and neither should you.
(2)
Jennifer H.
A bit on the pricey side but the food is worth it! A go-to for breakfast when we can get away without kids. We often split an omelet & it's more than enough! Usually great service!
(5)
Tricia K.
Went here for a belated Valentine's Day plus birthday dinner. Its a pricey place so I would only come here on special occasions but all of the food was very good and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for a nice date or place to get together with friends. Both of us started with a special Blood Orange Salad served that night. I am glad we were both selfish and ordered our own because it was not big enough to split as it was barely side salad sized. He had sea scallops for dinner and I had the sea bass as recommended by other reviewers. Both were cooked to perfection (i.e not over cooked). Now we come to dessert, why is it that so many restaurants in AA have either ice cream with every selection or they are dairy based? Not that I mind much, I love dairy desserts. But BF is dairy intolerant and many times we have to skip the best part of going out to dinner because there isn't anything we can get. However, I talked him into getting the warm chocolate cake and we got the ice cream on the side which I am glad we did because it was delicious.
(4)
Sam G.
This place might be three stars if it weren't for the prices and the hype. I've been here about six times for breakfast and brunch. Sometimes even if I wasn't paying I left feeling I had paid too much. Service, even when it's not very busy, is removed and abrupt. Good luck when the place is hopping. I always feel like a cog in a machine (and not the Charlie Chaplin funny kind). The food never wowed me. All of the benedicts (yup. all of 'em. I'm a benny addict) were bland and the textures were all off. The crab cake was fishy and mushy. The eggs didn't bleed perfection. Their omelets and hash are also just so-so. I could get better seasoning and flavor at a diner, honestly. There are basically no vegan options here whatsoever so careful if you want to go that route. You can have a bagel with some mustard and a tomato - and that will run you 6 bucks. There's also something about the clientele that really gets my hair to stand on end (and the rest to fall out from stress). Call me an urban manner stickler but if I'm holding the door for you with one hand, and a stack of to-go boxes in the other, at least thank me? This has happened to me not once but three times. I have also had the door literally slammed in my face and been physically shoved out of the waiting line. All of this on separate occasions. I see good reviews here for the crepes and waffles so if I ever get finagled into going here again, that's what I'm going to try. The savory route has broken my heart. Hopefully the sweet can mend it.
(2)
Meeta B.
Ok, so this is soooo dating me, but I'm alright with that. I was a fan of the old cafe Zola's when it was a coffee shop and you could get a ridiculously delicious crepe at night and study there. And then, it changed. The food- it stayed good and I still went but not as often and then it became I came here for a drink with friends and didn't try the food. So fast forward to a few weeks ago when a friend of mine came into town and stated she had never been to Zola's and would like to go. Now, since she was a guest in town I said sure and we went. The omelettes? I had gotten the Nadia's omelette, which has been my standard order there at brunch for years. It never disappoints! Even though I asked for a half order, this was by no means a fluffy delicious omelette. My friend had gotten the asparagus and goat cheese omelette and felt that it didn't have enough of the filling in it. We also got drinks that were good but nothing that surprised us. After paying almost 28 a piece with tax and tip, I think we felt that might be the last time we go to Zola's for awhile. Perhaps I should've just stuck to the banana nutella crepe, which has always made me happy. And, maybe I wouldn't have been disappointed. Ah well. The service was good and our waitress was great, but the food just left me so disappointed and yearning for the Zola's of the early 2000's.
(2)
N Y.
We made reservations here for family weekend and had an enjoyable evening. My husband ordered the whole barramundi wrapped and baked in parchment- it was really excellent and everybody had a bite. Also ordered was the flat iron and strip NY and both entrees were cooked perfectly to order, and allowed to swap potatoes for mash. Service was prompt and friendly, prices are reasonable for very good food, and has a nice cafe atmosphere.
(4)
Kelly E.
Frittata Zola. Do it. Seriously. A thin egg frittata with sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, challah croutons and goat cheese. It was huge for one person, so I had amazing leftovers. Comes with roasted potatoes. If you ask for no potatoes, they bring you bread with herbed butter. Subbing carbs with an equally delicious carb is always appreciated! It's crazy packed on the weekends. If you're okay sitting at the bar, you'll get placed sooner. They do egg whites in everything, if that interests you. I, personally, love yolks.
(4)
Katie C.
It's really unfortunate that I have to give Zola two stars, because they have one of my favorite breakfasts in town. I just love the Turkish Eggs. Unfortunately I have to do my best re-creating them at home for myself because I can't stand the consistently shoddy service there. I've been more than a dozen times (because of those eggs!) before I gave up and said never again. I never had service that was even average, always really, really slow.
(2)
Anne P.
My family and I went here for brunch a few weeks ago to celebrate a birthday and we were very disappointed. The restaurant is so noisy that we could not carry on a conversation without shouting. It was actually a relief to leave when the meal was over. I thought the crepe I had was uninspiring. So although we like the decor we won't be going to Zola's again.
(2)
Jose S.
Unique menu. A little pricey. Will, our waiter, was charming, funny and attentive. We plan on returning soon.
(4)
Aleks S.
After a night spent at the Weber my girlfriend and I decided to have brunch at Cafe Zola. All the reviews and pictures definitely helped us make a decision on visiting this restaurant. First Impression: The atmosphere is energetic, upbeat, decor is modern, lots of exposed brick walls, a variety of light fixtures, cool bar. They are busy here so my assumption is that one would have to wait at times, we only had a 5 minute wait. We skipped the table and decided to sit at the bar, bartenders are very attentive and service is fast, which I like. We started with a couple of Lattes a raspberry flavor shot, and a couple of mimosas. The drinks were very good, totally satisfied with them. My girlfriend ordered the crab cake benedict which was very good, no complaints there. I had the farmers omelet, it had peppers, onions, ham, havarti cheese and redskin potatoes on the side. The omelet and the crab cake benedict were very good portions, actually the omelet was enough for 2, its huge! Taste was great, service was as well so why not 5 stars? Well.... It's a little pricy, I like this place and we will go back when we are in the area, but will be more conscious of what we order. Definitely recommend, go check it out, you will not regret it!
(4)
Saloni G.
Phenomenal place for brunch. Wayyy better than Angelo's/Afternoon Delight etc. The food tastes fresh, the concept is different (Turkish?) and the staff is great. Definitely try the bloody marys. Watch out on Sundays- the line can be down the block. One of my favorite places in Ann Arbor!
(5)
Amelia H.
For the price, I expected better. I had the eggs crab cake benedict with the rosemary potatoes and coffee, which should probably be some of their best breakfast dishes. My companion had Hediye's breakfast(sp?), an olives-and-tomato egg scramble type deal on a bagel, with the strawberry lemonade. Both were served to us barely lukewarm - clearly had been under the heat lamps for a while. Mine (the benedict) was good, but nothing special. My companion, on the other hand, hated his breakfast - he said he'd had better eggs on bagels at McDonald's. Both were barely warm and definitely lacking in the flavor - just generally really unimpressive, especially when you're shelling out a good $50 total for two breakfasts. The service was decent, despite the restaurant being packed for Saturday afternoon brunch, but the food really left something to be desired. I had pretty high hopes for this place after reading the reviews, but frankly, there are far better places for brunch in Ann Arbor for half the price. Not worth the wait; not worth the money.
(2)
Benjamin F.
Best upscale restaurant in Ann Arbor. Hands down. blows other places (with the exception of Pacific Rim and Vinology) out of the water. Get the Crepes for Brunch, the lemon Tagliarini for Dinner, and the sausage sandwhich for lunch, and you'll be very happy. Not terribly pricey either. Great service. Also the Zingerman's bread and Olive infused Butter spread is phenomenal.
(5)
Lil'J R.
A Scot and two Indians walk into Cafe Zola .... Straight of the catwalk prances our waitress Crystal. All ponytail and disgust for the entire human race. After some confusion over the request for Cranberry juice, strong tea and coffee with milk, all of which challenging orders I know, we ordered our food. I think my waffle order mananged to penetrate the shadow of a Crystal brain cell but sadly my friends were not so fortunate. Assuming that robots can pick up on keywords, my friend simply re-called the crepe description of the one she wanted: plain crepe, orange hazelnut butter. And so began the naming of the crepes. The choice was orange OR hazelnut butter. Realizing that this could become a never ending struggle over good and evil my friend quickly picked one: orange butter. I breath feeling the end is near. Our order is robotically read back to us... blah blah blah hazelnut butter. At his point, ready to pour melted butter into my own eyes, I interject. "She just wants orange butter." So after all that you'd think the crepe would come with the damn orange butter right?.... sigh. Throughout this rich and joyous dining experience we were met with constant reminders from our waitress that she was resting on a higher plain of existence than the rest of us. TELLING somebody to move the menu so that you can put down the plate is both unnecessary and downright mean. Seeing three people exchanging money does not mean that these three people are thickos and need your help to split the bill. I'm giving Cafe Zola a star for the tasty waffles. Crystal got a $2 tip. Simply for not murdering one of us in the restroom.
(1)
Beck E.
Came here for cocktails in a group of 10 at night (had to call ahead to make reservations), and they were quite tasty. I had a bellini and something else... both very good, each $9-10. I was a bit taken aback to see that the spaghetti & meatballs was $26. Whooooooa. I don't care how good it is, I am not paying that much + tax + tip for a plate of pasta.
(4)
S L.
The food is usually good, but the waitstaff is touch and go. The last time I went there for a birthday celebration dinner the waitress gave me my filet mignon without utensils or knife. She made her way around the table and I asked her when she was close by if she could please give me a knife when she had a chance. She gave no response. The next time she came around I asked again -no response. So then as she was leaving the table and I said, "Excuse me, miss?" She retorted, "I heard you! You will just have to wait." I told her that I was sorry but I never knew if she could hear me. By the time I had a knife my filet was stone cold.
(1)
Sylvonna R.
I cannot believe I have lived in Ann Arbor almost my whole life and had never discovered Cafe Zola. THIS is my new favorite weekend brunch place. I felt like I was back in Washington, DC at some trendy little cafe where all the hipsters hang out after their long nights that turned into early mornings. With a menu that has savory crepes and sweet crepes, salads, sandwiches, omlettes, burgers, waffles, french toast, pastries and basically anything else your heart could desire, there is a place for everyone and their appetite. The atmosphere here is great! Perfect location right downtown Ann Arbor. Though bustling and a bit crowded, it seems like the perfect spot to meet a friend and catch up without fear that you'll be taking up a table for too long or worry that your conversation will get too loud (just my kind of place). The staff is friendly and helpful even when they are busy. Cafe Zola has everything I could ask for in a restaurant; I will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Amy B.
Cafe Zola makes me cranky. When I first moved to Ann Arbor in the early aughts, Zola was a chill, laid back cafe that turned into a hot brunch spot on the weekends and a bistro around dinner time. During the day, you could park yourself on one of their funky velvet couches or little cafe tables, hook up the laptop, and pound away on the keyboard while slurping bottomless coffees and inhaling pastries. They changed their business model several years ago to be more like a restaurant and less like a cafe. Basically, there is no more grad student lurking in Zola. This is now a serious upscale eatery, where every patron is seated properly at a table eating food and leaving when they're done. Which would be fine--there are many restaurants that I love that can also be described this way. But Zola is so effing pretentious, and the food just doesn't back up the attitude. Either Zola trains its staff to act snotty, or the owners tend to hire people who are that way by nature. The greeters and servers are almost uniformly unfriendly. Nothing here in my mind is exceptional food. I like the Belgian waffles covered in ice cream and sweet toppings, but it just takes a trip to the grocery store to make something similar at home. The sandwiches are good, but again, easily replicated--and while I know Zingerman's bread is the hallmark of a good restaurant in Ann Arbor, I would appreciate not having a sore jaw after trying to eat my sandwich. Enough with the crusty old bread! I usually order the meatloaf sandwich here for $12. It's ok. Just ok. By comparison, my favorite meatloaf sandwich in Boston in one of the most expensive areas of town is $9 and about 3 times as delicious. I'll use one specific experience here to illustrate. Some friends were getting married, and asked me to organize a brunch for the wedding party (mostly out of towners) at Zola the day of the wedding. I made a reservation but we still had loads of fun with table mishaps and them refusing to seat us when one member of our huge group had trouble getting parking. Yep, 13/14 people in a group is not enough for them to seat you. The food was its usual mediocre self. Then the bill came, and jaws dropped. Over $7 for a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice! We joked that you could buy a bag of oranges AND the labor to squeeze them for less than that price. Let's see, good things to say about Zola. They have a good tea selection. Their coffee is strong and tasty (but overpriced, especially considering that Sweetwaters is about 20 feet away). But really, the only reason I'm giving them the second star is because I remember the way it once was.
(2)
Claire H.
The food saved this review! Our service was awful. My husband's coffee did not get delivered to the table until half way through our breakfast. The server blamed the bar for being "distracted", when in reality my husband and I could see her and other servers chatting in the back of the restaurant. I had ordered chocolate milk which ended up tasting like chocolate powder water so I sent it back (even though it also was not delivered until half way through our meal), and got the fresh OJ instead. That turned out to be a much better choice, but we were shocked the server did not waive the $5 juice as the drink did not arrive until my last bite of food. The service was awful, but the food was amazing. Loved the salmon hash - such a unique combo of flavors! My husband had the strawberry banana crepe and it was delicious. The bread and herb butter was also out of this world. We will be probably go back, but will be hoping for a different server!!
(3)
Kate P.
My Monte Cristo sandwich was amazing! So fluffy and rich. The coffee is also good, which is important for brunch. Loved it!
(5)
Artime M.
Nice brunch spot with a simple menu. I had the asparagus and goats cheese omelette, which was satisfactory. My friend had one of the waffles and it was phenomenal! I'd go back for the waffle. The cappuccino was fantastic too.
(4)
Gina D.
Came here for brunch on Saturday, 12/15/12. The place was packed, and the wait was around 15 minutes. The menu is quite extensive, but I was looking for something to quell a sugar craving. I decided that the Nutella Banana Crepe sounded perfect. In the meantime, while I waited for my crepe, I decided to order a French Press made with columbian coffee. I had that before at Sweet Lorraine's and it was very good. Unfortunately, this coffee was just too strong for my liking, so I had to send it back, it was around $ 8.95, and I did not want to pay that much for coffee that I did not like. But the crepe was to die for. Just perfect in every way. Nutella, banana, crème chantilly, toasted almonds, and raspberry sauce (on the side please). They are very generous with the scoops of ice cream also. Husband had a salad with tuna. He had ordered this before for dinner and liked it. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Tanya A.
4 stars sounds about right. This quaint little cafe is a wonderful option for brunch. It is located conveniently near a parking lot in the heart of Ann Arbor. With French and American influence, Cafe Zola offers a wide variety on their menu and is vegetarian friendly. My table ordered steamed almond milk, hot chocolate, a Hediye's breakfast, Portabello Panino, creamy tomato soup, and a banana nutella crepe. The almond milk was just as it says, almond milk. It was good. The hot chocolate was not that hot. Fail. It was, however, not too rich and not too sweet, so I appreciated that. The Hediye's breakfast, a Zola favorite, was mehh.. It came on a bagel, I chose the everything bagel, with scrambled eggs and vegetables. The array of vegetables was interesting..I wouldn't prefer to have asparagus with eggs though. Overall, that dish was bland. For an everything bagel, it didn't have everything on it, especially my favorite, garlic. The eggs lacked flavor, so the salt and pepper at the table had to suffice. I also asked for tabasco sauce and ketchup, to spice it up a bit. The panini was good, but in general, I'm not too big of a fan of paninis, so again, it was okay. The chips on the side, however, were fantastic. They were a collection of exotic vegetable chips. I've had them before, and they are always good. The pickle was no good. As for the banana nutella crepe, a la mode...yummy. There was a bit of raspberry sauce on there, which was a nice touch of something sweet and tangy to something so rich. It also complimented the ice cream well. The toasted almonds were a great addition as well...I only wish they put more of it on there. It was a good dessert and filling for three. The waitress was nice but a bit slow, especially for a slower day at the eatery. Altogether, the food was mediocre but the menu was great, and I appreciated the effort. Maybe I came on a bad day because my friends raved about this place before I went. I have given it the benefit of the doubt and reviewed Cafe Zola as a 4. I will most likely come back to Zola when I am in Ann Arbor again.
(4)
Lindsey S.
my most FAVORITE place in all of ann arbor !! it is scrumptious , ALWAYS! On a nice sunny day, there is nothing better than to kick it outside of cafe zola on w.washington, this part of the street always has some great people watching. they have comfortable seating indoors and out. its kinda fun to go to zola at different times, bc they re arrange some of the "dining" room furniture. there is a bar stool seating as well! FULL STOCKED BAR - great craft cocktails and sangria. For lunch or brunch - this is your spot !! you can order almost everything under the sun here, but this menu stops at 4PM. I love their crafty omeletes - they bring a new level of high class and deliciousness to their omelettes - not just your typical greasy whites. Even tho the omelette may seem a bit pricey its totally worth it!! *Artichoke Omelette13.95 -- An open-faced oven baked omelette with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, green beans, potatoes, and red onions under its melted topping of savory Vermont cheddar cheese. nothing tops this in my book!! *crepes!! they have sweet and savory and normal crepes, its not every day you get a fabulous crepe, tastes straight out of france. * kobe burger and fries - juicy burger that is tender and delicious. the fries are sprinkled with rosemary ( maybe), something real good and salt. they've got this burger down!! comes with homemade sauces. ***** Flat iron steak sandwich **** o man !! this dish !! it fills a hole in ur heart like no other dish, its the most perfectly tender pieces of steak, that is worth way more than the $13 for the dish - it comes with the most mouth watering camerlized onions, and onion roll, which i got toasted. this dish also comes with pomme frites !! skinyy lil fries with parmasean on top sprinkled. all in all they have this mouth watering sweet potatoe squash soup, that i count down the days until they serve it each fall !! no joke. the "bowl" size is ginormous , you really dont have to order anything else if you get this. the "cup" size is served in a tea cup - a bigger one. the other best part is THEY SERVE ZINGERMANS bread !! with olives and a homemade butter. white semolina is the bomb bread, eat it up and enjoy!!
(5)
Tony L.
Not a bad place for a more upscale breakfast/brunch. Their open-faced omelettes are a nice change of pace from the typical kind. I have heard it gets very busy during peak hours, but it is nice and quiet early in the morning just after opening (7am). In the end, however, it's a bit tough to justify $20+ (with tax and tip) for an omelette and some coffee.
(3)
Liz P.
There's not a ton of great brunch places downtown besides Angelo's and The Broken Egg, so we returned to Cafe Zola today - I'm an '09 UM grad who hasn't been back to Cafe Zola since 2009. The service was great, we did have like a 5-10 minute wait for a table but that's to be expected on a Sunday around 12pm. I had the waffles with strawberries and bananas (hold the bananas) and syrup and cream and they were delicious. Next time I will try one of their sandwiches or something too since now I know their crepes and waffles are both delicious. They have outdoor seating as well but we sat inside since the weather kept going from hot to cold and back. The food is a little pricey but can't be beat if you are looking for a breakfast or brunch place.
(4)
Robert L.
Amazing Brunch. Long wait.
(4)
Rahul J.
Great breakfast / brunch option on the weekends. Great food, outdoor seating and good service. I had the Turkish eggs and they were great.
(5)
Guillermo K.
The Turkish eggs made me sad. I thought I'd be getting menemen, but I got this dry egg on some limp-ass spinach. Blech. The fries were a'ight.
(2)
Erin H.
Like a lot of people I wish this place were bigger and not always so crowded or I would eat here more often. And also because it's so loud I can't ever take my parents here due to hearing issues. I have had wonderful dinners here and great sandwiches. I haven't really dived into the brunch menu, but I plan to someday. I'm really excited that the owners plan to open another restaurant in the new Arbor Hills shopping center opening on Washtenaw later this year!
(4)
Hassan R.
The portions are small for the dollar amount, but the food is excellent! The service was nice, and it was nice to sit outside.
(4)
N V.
Try the waffles with the strawberry butter! Best waffle ever.
(5)
Sophie A.
Whenever I eat at Zola, I feel like something's missing. I've concluded that what's missing here is good service. The decor is great (love the exposed brick), the food is consistently good (although I wish it would change the menu more often), but the servers always seem incredibly aloof. Not sure if there's a management issue with Zola, but that would provide a possible explanation. If the service was better, I'd come here far more often.
(3)
Corynne G.
Moderately priced, love the atmosphere, food is good. I'll return :)
(4)
Paul S.
This Turkish -French creperie appeared some twenty years ago and it took well with the local population. I wasn't a big crepe fan then, but I did like their omlettes because of the delicate finishing touch: a sprinkling of herbes de Provence. In fact, I plagiarized this touch after I moved away from Ann Arbor. Today I met an old friend for breakfast and we beat the rush by about 40 minutes by getting sat at 9:15 am on a Sunday. My savory filled crepe contained eggs, ham and Harvarti cheese in a whole wheat wrap. Creme fraiche completed the package, however, I spiced it up with the locally produced Clancy's Fancy hot sauce. Excelsior! Coffee is good here too and service was polite and professional. As we wound down it was getting crowded and a line spilled out the door.
(4)
Michael M.
Very nice experience. The problem is, Ann Arbor has such a plethera of top notch restaurants, were this in another city it may be a favorite, however I would say maybe third or fourth favorite in the city. With this said, we had an excellent meal. Cocktails, appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts were all excellent. We had the Miro and Tuna, and both were suberb. Our server was also wonderful, as was the atmosphere of the restaurant. We will most certainly return.
(5)
Joel B.
Ok, look. The food was fine. My omelette tasted fine, but was very plain. Sort of a slab of scrambled eggs folded over some simple ham/sausage things. But, for 13 bucks, I expect an omelet to be a transcendent experience. This one was just ok. Would have been awesome for 6 bucks. My wife has the Turkish breakfast which she enjoyed. But, if you go, the potty has the greatest paper towels. Like drying your hands on the wings of an angel. Astounding in strength, unparalleled in cushionyness, and top notch in absorbency. Worth the overpriced omelette to just feel the paper towels.
(3)
Al M.
Always a great lunch at this popular A-squared institution. Sampled a Kobe burger, a grilled chicken sandwich, and a couple of goat cheese and asparagus omelettes. I'd highly recommend requesting Zola's special-made ketchup condiment with any sandwich you order. It is zesty, spicy-sweet with just a touch of a tangy BBQ sauce. Outstanding! The natural brick walls trimmed with some tasteful art adds to the ambience although it can get a bit loud during the busy lunch hour. Solid 4 big ones.
(4)
Kiva M.
The waffles are absolutely amazing. I go here just for the great waffles with strawberries and bananas. The coffee here is also great! The service here was great but they are usually extremely busy at brunch time so I would plan accordingly.
(4)
Janis M.
The worst experience I have had. I made reservations for 4 at 12:00 noon. Two of my guests had to go to work. After sending back the raw steak salad 3X's we agreed she give up on eating today. The waitress had many excuses, like they were busy. We arrived at 11:45 & few tables were seated. She apologized for ordering the wrong dish but never for the SLOWEST service ever. We left at 3:00. The manager stepped in to explain that the raw meat is considered med-rare even though it was cool & after sending it back we were promised a "new" Plate of food, "they lied". Same cuts of beef & lettuce rearranged Very disappointed & never to return
(1)
Kristin W.
I headed to Cafe Zola for a to-go breakfast and debated between the omelettes and the crepes. I ended up ordering the Smoked Salmon Omelette, which was a bit pricey at $16.95, but certainly fresh and delicious. I can't wait to go back and try crepes and more omelettes!
Leave your budget at the door and GO FOR IT. One crepe is not going to fill anybody up, so you're going to need to order something else too.... oh but that one crepe will be super good, so you can't skip it. I tried the champignon crepe (mushroom savory) and wished it was bigger the moment I tasted it. Lots of mushrooms! Delicious! The waffle "a la gabus" with chocolate hazelnut drizzle, raspberry drizzle, whipped cream and ice cream was a great accompaniment. Though I was sad the crepe was all gone, I could now drown my sorrows in ice cream - for brunch! I leaned over to whisper to my friend that the first thing I would do when I got home would be to throw away my waffle maker. It doesn't make crispy edges, and I now realize that it's been letting me down for years. Goodbye waffle iron. It's you, not me. Thank you Cafe Zola for this moment of self discovery. Crowded! Our group of 8 had a reservation and would not have stood a chance to just show up unannounced and get a table.
(4)
Kathy T.
I have never loved a Shrimp Taco more then I do here at Cafe Zola in Ann Arbor! Every single time I come here the associates greet me with a smile and already know my order! Their ketchup is also very unique - It is homemade and you can't find it anywhere else. Delightful with a sandwich or an asparagus omelette!
(5)
Attossa C.
I used to visit semi-regularly for the brunch. Would go more often if I had the time. Went for dinner on mother's day. It was my first time having dinner there. Will, our server, was awesome. The food was very good. The bread and olives that were brought out were great. Everything tastes fresh, all the flavors tasted on purpose. I'm a fan.
(5)
Christie R.
Terrible experience. Went for brunch on a Saturday. The space is sooo cramped. I ordered a salmon hash and it tasted awful. It was burned on the bottom and that threw off all the flavors. The waitress just gave us our food and didn't come back until we were done eating. A little too late for me to complain about the food. I paid cash and they didn't give me my change back. They ended up taking a 35% tip for terrible food and service. I will definitely not come back here.
(1)
Laya L.
Came here for brunch with two of my friends and we all loved our food! The indoor decor is pretty nice and they have paintings for sale up on the wall too. It is a little pricey but I did find my food worth it.
(5)
CV C.
Now I know why all pictures are from their brunch menu: their dinner one is just ok tasting. It's not bad, it's just that, if I'm going to pay this much for the food, I'd expect it to be more than just "I can make this at home for a fifth of the price". I'm curious about their brunch and will be back to check that out. I will, however, not be back for their dinner.
(3)
J H.
The food is good but $14 for an egg bagel is pretty ridiculous. I would probably go there more often if it wasn't so darn expensive.
(3)
Hannah S.
My boyfriend wanted to get blintzed out, and well, Cafe Zola sealed the deal with their blueberry blintze style crepe! The sweet farmer cheese, coupled with the sweet blueberries and fresh cream sauce was magical. He also got a side of polish sausage, which he thought was pretty good, but it was $4.75 for 2 pieces, so probably wouldn't do that again. I got the Normandie crepe, which was a cinnamon apple, walnut & cranberry crepe with fresh whipped creme. I really enjoyed it, but I was hoping that there would have been some sort of saucy component to pull it all together. It was a tad more than $10, which for me is steep, but it was good. Not as good as boyfriend's blintze crepe though! I also got a side of bacon, also $4.75, for 3 thick pieces. Standard fair bacon, and cooked crunchy how I like it, but nothing wowing. I also got a side of rosemary potatoes, which was a mixture of awesome, undercooked, and burnt. I think they were about $3.50 for a pretty decent mound of potato, so a better deal than the bacon or sausage for sure. I ended up paying about $25 for breakfast, which is highly unusual, and I don't think the food deserved the price, though it was pretty darn tasty! There is metered parking on the street, and parking structures just a block or two away. Service was fast and friendly, though we were the first ones inside at 7 am so that might be the case! (according to other slow-related service reviews). Overall, I enjoy Afternoon Delight or The Broken Egg more, but for sweet desserty breakfast, this may be exactly the place you want to go.
(4)
Jeff B.
A fun brunch place in downtown Ann Arbor. We went for brunch on a Saturday morning around noon so naturally there was a bit of a wait! However they moved through the list fairly quickly and efficiently. Seating was tight but again, as to be expected at weekend brunch. The food here was good and everyone seemed to enjoy it. It's a bit pricey which sets your expectations high, but it was good. I had one of their omelettes and it was pretty big! But, an omelette is never a very impressive thing! (I'll have to try something else next time) A bunch of people with us ordered crepes and they looked delicious! The staff was also very nice. Our waitress was constantly refilling coffee and water and she kept an engaging and fun attitude. The food came out pretty quickly as well! I look forward to going back and trying out some of their other dishes!
(4)
Mike K.
Maybe it's restaurant week. Maybe the staff was hassled and the cooks were slow. My wife and I went on a Tuesday during Restaurant Week and Zola's came up less than impressive. I'd think a featured eating location would be ready to go with their food. The potatoes everyone said was good? They're out. Oooh, mussles! No, sorry, we don't have those. Well, can we get calamari? Nope, that gone too. Well..... here, have some white rice. The 45 minute wait for the apps was okay because the weather was beautiful. Our server seemed stressed and she was dealing with some things. We're patient but I certainly didn't have 90 dollars of fun. Maybe it's better as a breakfast place or when it's a regular business week. It felt like forever to get food, half the food reasons we went were gone, and... well, eh. I don't know if we're going back to try it again. I was underwhelmed.
(2)
Lynda L.
We were really looking forward to trying zolas based on the reviews. We made a reservation and our table wasn't ready with about 5 empty tables. We ordered a bread basket before hand for the kids which came with no bread plates. We asked for them and never received them. No refills on coffee. I ordered the crab cake Benedict and it was stone cold. The food had a potential of being good if service wasn't so slow. Very disappointing. I would definitely pick another spot.
(1)
Lissett P.
Great food the flat iron stake salad was very well seasoned and cooked. The smoked bacon and Michigan cherries did it for me. The bread also was awesome. I will go back for lunch or dinner sometime again soon.
(5)
Anthoine W.
Food wasn't bad at all we enjoyed a strawberry crepe and a nice omelette after my dentist appointment. The food was decent and nice a portion for the price, but the drinks were pretty high in my opinion. 8$ for fresh squeezed orange juice, but hey I love fresh OJ! But overall pretty good, only wish our sever would have been more attentive, she just drop off the food and came to pick up plates.
(3)
Katherine S.
Everything I've had here is amazing. It's a bit in the pricey side so not somewhere we go weekly, but definitely head out here to treat ourselves! Zola's Crab Cake Benedict is my absolute favorite.
(5)
Brock H.
Had brunch here while passing through Ann Arbor. Everything was excellent. We had open-faced omelettes -- one with sweet potatoes and caramelized onions, topped with challah croutons, avocado and goat cheese; the other with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, green beans, potatoes, and red onions topped with Vermont cheddar cheese and avocado. The eggs were perfectly cooked and the toppings applied in perfect proportions - something I can't say for many of the open-faced omelettes (or frittatas) I've had at other establishments.
(5)
Mike S.
The food was excellent. The side of syrup I ordered was $3.50... I mean, common - that is highway robbery. 1 star for prices. 5 stars for food.
(3)
D B.
I've come in for brunch a couple of times, and everything is so yummy. If there is one irksome aspect to the brunch, it's the extra charge for maple syrup. It's like a checked baggage fee. It makes you chose between a less pleasant experience or an overly high charge.
(4)
Sarah F.
Quick Tip: Go and get the waffle! Good casual place for breakfast. Service was slow, but it was also a Sunday, so a bit understandable. One of us got the classic waffle and the other the Farmhouse omelet. Both were good. The eggs on the outside of the omelet were a bit overcooked. The waffle was amazing. It is light, fluffy, and sweet! Added bonus: they serve french press pots of coffee Pro: good food, french press coffee Cons: slow service
(4)
Emily W.
One of the few places to serve reliably good, interesting food in Ann Arbor. Always a good pick.
(4)
Linda L.
a good place for brunch and lunch. locates in downtown Ann Arbor. Sometimes you need to wait for seats. The dishes are good, but in fact, as I am not so familiar with those cookings, so it is hard for me to tell whether it is real good or not. I just know the vegetables in salad are fresh , better than those apple bee-ones. the omelette tastes not too salty nor too mild nor strange . So I believe it is a good omelette. The potato along with omelette has skin on. I am a little upset of the potato skin. but maybe it is the right way to cook potatoes. I haven't tried many courses on menu. So far as I know, it is good.
(4)
Emily L.
Awesome awesome awesome! I loved this cozy brunch spot for a mid week brunch setting. The coffee was delicious and the waitress was knowledgeable about the assortment of teas. I had the Turkish eggs with a blueberry muffin (fresh from zingermans!) and both were incredible.
(5)
Todd R.
This place is really good and it had good service. It wasn't really kid friendly though.
(5)
Lauren T.
I lived in Ann Arbor for a few years and Zola was always one of my favorite places to go for brunch on the weekend. Two years ago I moved to Detroit and don't get back to AA all that often, so I was thrilled when I found myself there, yesterday, and decided to go there for a late breakfast. Oh, wow, Zola, things have gone downhill ... My husband ordered the Florentine crepe and I ordered the Americana breakfast with breakfast sausage. While my eggs and potatoes were fine, the sausage was way too well-done and hard (and it may have been my imagination, but it also seemed like the portion size had decreased since my last visit a couple of years ago). I was actually somewhat surprised that they had served it to me. My husband, who is normally not picky in the least, didn't even finish his crepe. We were expecting a creamy, cheesy, spinach crepe. Instead, it was boiled spinach with a slight drizzle of creme fraiche. The spinach had zero seasoning and was bland beyond belief. Taking solace in the fact that at least there was bread and butter and coffee, I slathered some herb butter on the crusty bread. Even the butter was bad -- bland, unsalted, and seemed slightly rancid. i always raved about Zola whenever given the chance. Sadly, those days are over. Afterwards, we salvaged the day by going across the street to Frita Batidos for a passion fruit batido and a walk around the Arb to help us forget about the bland, boring, overcooked meal we had just experienced.
(2)
Jenne E.
Good food. Smaller portions, salmon and crab cakes are excellent. The apple pie dessert is delicious
(4)
Elçin H.
I came here with my mom for Mother's Day. We sat outside. An overall, great place. Friendly, casual atmosphere and great food!
(5)
Rachel A.
I've been coming here for 12 years now and it's still one of my favorite downtown Ann Arbor spots. I can say with certainty that I've never had a bad meal here, and I've had many dinners and brunches over the years. I've always had good, attentive service and the servers always are well versed on the menu. My personal favorite for dinner - the Chimichurri Tango, which I has recently been renamed, simply, "flat iron steak". Different name, same delicious meal. For brunch, I always end up getting one of the omelettes, although Zola is well known for crepes. I can't pass up a good omelette!
(5)
Nicole W.
I never leave a work trip underfed. Malnourished is never going to happen to this girl. Yelp Community Managers are *the absolute best* food guides in their city and Annette J certainly did not disappoint! Cafe Zola is a beautiful and delicious stop in Ann Arbor. Filled with friendly staff, plenty of light, and cozy surroundings, it's a lovely spot for a cup o' joe or a full on brunch experience. The menu is stuffed with sweet and savory options, offering something for just about any craving. After much deliberation between the savory or sweet, I went with the strawberry banana crepe to accompany my cool and tasty decaf iced Americano. The crepe offered a beautiful texture and tons of fresh fruit. And while the crepe was indeed tasty, my side order of Edward's sausage knocked my socks off. I don't know how Edward makes that sausage so flavorful and nitrate free, but man he does it. Normally I'm not crazy about breakfast sausage, but this one is bursting with flavor that it's a must to offering a yang to the sweet crepe. When I find myself in Ann Arbor again, I'll definitely make time to visit Cafe Zola!
(4)
Mary J.
Always, always, always an exceptional experience! Went for my birthday in September with family -- the branzino en papillote was buttery soft and well seasoned! Champagne was lovely! Service always attentive but handled without impacting table conversation. Party was at the table in the window - fun, memorable evening!
(4)
Michelle P.
Space: Nice, dark lighting.. probably a nice place for a date Service: quick and pleasant despite our huge party of 15+ people Food: Appetizers were pretty good-- my favorite was probable the fig and cheese..Had the steak form my main course and it was delicious and perfectly cooked. The Chimichurri Sauce was delicious and a perfect pairing
(4)
Kayla F.
This is a nice place. There are great restaurants, there are horrible restaurants, there are those hot or cold niche restaurants. This isn't any of those. This is just a plain and simple *good* restaurant. You're bound to find something you'll love here, something you'll like, something you'll come back for. I've had their burgers, entrees, breakfast meals, drinks, and desserts and it's all been tasty. Some of it is on the pricey end, but for the most part, taking into account the quality and atmosphere, it's really on point. This is the kind of place I'll come back to again and again and never get bored with. It's great for sexy late night dates, for early morning feasts, for in between teas. And it's right off of Main Street, so it's in the right place.
(4)
Robin L.
So, for the sake of full transparency, I'll admit that I'm a regular! And I love Cafe Zola's! Here's why: This place is awesome! Wonderful ambiance, delicious food and top-notch service. Yes, it's expensive for sure, but if you're looking for an amazing experience, you just can't beat this place. It's my go to place for brunch, business lunches and dinners and even coffee meetings. They serve fantastic coffee and espresso drinks. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place!
We were visiting Ann Arbor from Seattle over the weekend, a friend recommended them for brunch. We were so I pressed with the food the first day, we decided to return the second day! I'm normally not a dessert person but the crepes and waffles were delicious! They are light with just the right amount of sweetness. Mostly we were impressed by the service, both days were very busy and the staff handled everything professionally and promptly. There was a storm one of the days we were visiting and the next day was really sunny and we really wanted to sit outside, we were willing to wait but instead they brought out a table for us to sit at!!! Amazing. Great food, great service... I highly recommend this place! Try the waffles ;)
(5)
Debbie C.
This is one of my favorite Restuarant's in Ann Arbor. They have the best tasting variety of foods. The staff is the utmost courteous the owners have a Knick for choosing the proper wait staff to serve their customers. I like to frequent business's where the owners are visible and attentive to their guests. The atmosphere is outstanding and the food is incredible. If you are visiting Ann Arbor or live in Ann Arbor go check it out. Cafe Zolas is an icon that should not be missed. My personal favorite for breakfast is The Heidey's Breakfast. Enjoy!
(5)
Melanie C.
Came here for brunch. This place is hella busy on the weekends during brunch time..must be the turkish eggs and the french press coffee. I ordered the salmon burger. It came with pommes frites, housemade ketchup, spicy mayonnaise, and citrus chutney. I would have to say, this is one of the better salmon burgers I have ever eaten. The salmon was sauteed to perfection. It was very juicy and paired well with the toppings that came along with the burger: pretzel bun, red chile honey glaze, lettuce, tomato, and even the sweet pickled ginger! It was a bit messy eating it since all the juices kept dripping everywhere (my type of burger :P). The pommes frites was also delicious..crunchy and thin like shoestring fries (my favorite type of fries). The Southwestern Omelette was also good. Never knew how well poblano chiles and creme fraiche tasted in an omelette. The only down side to this omelette was that the ingredients weren't spread out throughout the omelette. Half of it was all sour cream with the roasted peppers and a bit of chorizo, while the other half was chorizo, and pico de gallo. They should try to spread out the sour cream and chorizo more evenly, that way customers can get the best of both worlds. Other than that, I would come back again for brunch. There's so many other dishes I would like to try!
(4)
Mary W.
We went last year and although the food is very good, love their waffles, teas and big cup cappuccinos, the service wasn't so great. It wasn't even a busy morning but the server was too busy with customers she seems to recognize and didn't even bother to check on our table.
(2)
Christopher F.
Came here for dinner during Ann Arbor's restaurant week. For starter we ordered the fig with goat cheese and the blue crab cakes, both were outstanding. The crab cake is nicely seasoned and the remolaude was terrific. For salad we ordered the insalata caprese and an arugula salad with pears and walnuts. Bot were amazing, the buffalo mozzarella was like butter, the tomatoes were wonderful. The arugula salad was just as wonderful love the grilled pear and sweet walnuts. For entree we ordered the chimichuri steak and lamb chops, both were absolutely fantastic. The steak was a little spicy and the chimichuri was wonderful. The service was great, this place is pricey, but they deliver.
(5)
Amanda P.
Eh - I went for a meeting with colleagues before work on a muggy, warm morning. They hadn't turned the air conditioning on, and it was hotter inside than outside. I know it's Michigan and not everyone does AC here, but when you run an establishment with industrial grade ovens/stoves in the back of it, let's run the AC in June? Okay, I'm sweating - time to order coffee. The coffee was pretty good - I thought it was cool that they allow you to order it the trendy way by region instead of being boring about it. I wanted something savory and not sweet for breakfast, so I went with the Salmon Hash, which sounded odd to me in theory but I thought I would be adventurous since I love salmon and hash. What could go wrong? When they served it, I stared at it for a moment because it wasn't really a hash - it was more like a salmon latke or a salmon patty like my mom used to make. But when I had a bite, it had no flavor and honestly tasted a bit burnt. It was almost as if they had sliced everything tiny, but had still cooked the potatoes longer so they were kind of burnt, the onions bitter, and the salmon was indistinguishable. The "horseradish cream sauce" on top tasted like foamed parsley puree. Just bland bland bland. It was gross. The eggs on top were cold, and I didn't even salt it - I just sat there grumpy and shiny determined to enjoy the coffee and conversation. Brunch doesn't seem too bad here, so I would maybe try it again if anyone wanted to go there. There are at least 5 other places I would go first for breakfast in AA.
(2)
James R.
Ok. There are 2 negatives about this place. 1. The wait. The restaurant is decently sized, but it has almost NO waiting area for people waiting to be seated. So you've got to huddle just inside the door and be in the way of everyone coming in or out, or wait outside, and hope that the person doing the seating bothers to check outside. 2. Not cheap. Seriously not cheap. I think breakfast for my wife and I was north of $50, mostly boosted by a mimosa for her, and a mocha for me. Both of which were fantastic. Everything else? Positively wonderful. The crepe I had was amazing, with ham, and cheese and egg, in just the best possible ratios. Paper thin ham is something I wouldn't have thought I would enjoy. Either way, try to sneak in here on a weekday and enjoy truly gourmet food, just be prepared for a wait, and a bit of sticker shock.
What a splendid afternoon in A2, and a nice time to stop in at Zola's. Quick seating, an attentive server (ask for Leah, she listens well and is very helpful). My omelet was well prepared and the Americano coffee was hot and flavorful, despite all of the half and half I added (I basically try to drown the bean, Leah will confirm this). Cannot ask for much more. Thanks for a solid dining experience.
(5)
Bonnie Z.
I came here for restaurant week. The starter and salad was good, (mussels and kale salad) but my main dish (lamb) was bland and dry and the portion was tiny. I honestly just expected more.
(3)
Kip W.
Don't go here hungry! Why? Because by the time you are seated and served you WILL be hungry and I would hate for you to start gnawing at your fingers. I do love the food! You just can't go here and eat on a budget or be in a hurry. You will easily drop $12-$15 on an omelette. They charge you extra for just about everything. In fact, I'm surprised they don't charge more for special oil to fry your food in. This being said, The Farmhouse Omelette and the Southwestern Omelette are awesome and filling. If you have a sweet tooth, the crepes are great as well. I love the coffee, love the coffee! I've mostly been here for breakfast, but have been there a couple times in the evening for dinner and they have a killer Basil Martini. The food is almost worth the wait, almost.
(4)
Nathan E.
I stayed away from this place for years, and I'm sorry that I did because Cafe Zola rocks! I'd say it was during the mid-'90s when I lived a few blocks away and had a heroine-using housemate for one summer who waited tables at Zola when it first opened. My friends and I didn't like the housemate very much, and we called Zola the smack-addict cafe. Well, something close to 20 years have passed, and Zola is so much more than a place for smack addicts to work. I'm really sorry I characterized it so badly back in the day. Anyway, now it's the 21st century, and I come here for brunch whenever I'm in Ann Arbor. I almost always get the Turkish eggs (baked over spinach and feta! Yum!). And I'm sure everything else is great too. I watched the guy at the table next to me today eating a waffle with ice cream and syrup on top. I wouldn't do that, but it was fun to watch! The owner is a lady from Turkey, and I don't remember her name. But she's quite colorful and friendly and often at the host stand. I'd say that she IS the ambience at Zola, and it's fun just to chat with her. The service is always great, although sometimes it can be pretty busy. Dog friendly at the outside tables. Family friendly all around. And I'm so glad that my smack addict housemate doesn't work there anymore. I hope the owner fired her:)
(4)
Coll P.
There has got to be a better way to seat people at this place...we tried to go once without a reservation, waited fifteen minutes as we watched people losing their shit that they were getting skipped over and left. We tried again with a reservation and learned that this means NOTHING. We waited and waited and once again got to watch some funny situations of people getting called, walking up to the host and her telling them it would be fifteen more minutes, then seating someone who just walked in. IYYYYYYYYYYY. When we were finally sat I ordered a hot chocolate to warm up and it was more like hot milk albeit with delicious whipped cream. Bummer. They have tons of possibilities for brunch though and everything that we ordered was...good. The crepes seemed to be the biggest hit amongst us.
(3)
Andrew Z.
I was part of a reservation for 13 people for a birthday brunch for my sister. We made the reservation 3 week prior. What was meant to be a happy Sunday turned unhappy by our experience at Zola. We were met by the disrespectful owner/host/manager who "didn't care" that we had a reservation and said "lots of other people had special occasions". Also, reservations don't really matter and they seat based on when people sign in??? Wah?? Never got a chance to try the food but will never go there again based on the disrespect and "customer always last" attitude that met my party at the door.
(1)
Stacie F.
This place is so great that there is almost always a line out the door. The breakfast plates are unique and super tasty. I got the Asparagus and Goat Cheese Omlette and it was so good but the Turkish Breakfast looked amazing as well. Also, don't forget to order a pot of french pressed coffee and a crepe to share for dessert.
(5)
Prima B.
Lemon Tagliarini was excellent. I will definitely eat here again!
(5)
S F.
I would almost give Zola five starts, but I haven't had enough dishes to rate them a perfect score. The food I've had has been wonderful. The hamburger (and fries) are one of my top five gourmet burgers ever. The half chicken was cooked perfectly the four times I've ordered it. So far, every dish I've had from this establishment has been right on. Very crowded, but worth the wait, except for the one time they kept us waiting for more than an hour . . . after seating us. If the wait is too long, be sure to check out Zingerman's.
(4)
Elizabeth S.
Five stars for the crepes. Minus two stars for the several times I've had incredibly rude or inattentive service. Actually the servers tend to be great- it's usually the hostess who doesn't notice you exist or the management type person who seems to be ushering you out the door after it took 30 minutes to get your check. If you go on a weekend, very late into the brunch time (I think like, 1:30/2?) it tends to be less crowded. Don't even think about going within a block of it on Mother's Day. Dinner is overpriced, and not that impressive for the price, though the wait tends to be less crazy. I really only think the cost is justified for breakfast... the strawberry and banana crepes really do keep me coming back, despite my complaints regarding the service.
(3)
Diana K.
I, like many an Ann Arborite, love Cafe Zola. And though there are plenty of reviews to attest to the fact, I feel the need to add the following: skip the brunch and go here for dinner. I know, I know, it's a lot pricier at dinner and brunch is such a novelty (as are crepes, apparently. I mean, they're really not that hard to make and Zola's crepes are just OK. Nothing special). So skip the crowds and the long wait and treat yourself to their goat cheese stuffed salmon for dinner on a bed of mushroom-filled ravioli while basking in the glow of tea lights. You'll thank me. And as an aside, they get bonus points for the way they handle carry out orders. You know, for the days when you feel like poo and don't want to gussy up for a meal out, but you are still craving an amazing meal in? They don't skimp - they'll pack your entree to go with the pre-meal bread and olives and butter. But alas, they get docked one star for how crazy it gets during weekend brunch. They don't let you take your time and on one occasion, my party was shooed away as soon as we finished eating to make way for the throngs of other potential diners waiting for our spot. Not cool.
(4)
Andrew M.
Sunday brunch lines are out the door. Plan on waiting a long time to pay upwards of $12 for an omelet. The food is very good, but I subtracted two stars for price and crowds. Once you're in, you're crammed up against the table next to you and the open dining area creates a lot of noise that makes holding a conversation difficult. I'm sure I'll be back at some point, just not for brunch.
(3)
Mike R.
If you close your eyes, open them, you'd swear you were somewhere in NYC (Chelsea, Upper West Side, etc.) Bare brick walls, tight spaces, simple white linen, and extremely innovative menu. I was lucky to have the pleasure of eating the Octopus app, wow was that great ! Moving on to the tunar tartar, then to safir app, another winner. Great wine list, with reasonable prices... and an all female wait staff dressed in simple black, some with fake pearls, real eye candy, something out of a Robert Palmer video....... yes, it was truly 'simply irresistible'.
(4)
Theresa F.
What a great brunch spot. It's always very busy to plan to wait on the weekends. Their sweet crepes are so good -- I love their Normandie crepe. Sit outside on nice mornings if there's room. They have a good selection of loose leaf teas and a really yummy hot chocolate (so says Steve).
(4)
Devon A.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor. While the dinner selections are solid, I prefer visiting Zola for brunch. The crepes and french toast selections are excellent. Good atmosphere and good food.
(4)
Betty B.
I just went to brunch here yesterday for the first time. The food itself was top-notch. I had the veg. Omelette Duxelles, and the eggs were noticeably unusually delicious. And the mushroom filling was fabulous, too. A very good 1/2 pot of tea, though I do have to agree with some other reviewers on here--the menu is only slightly overpriced on the whole, but one really doesn't want to pay $5.25 for tea. I'd definitely go back and eat more of this delicious food, but I agree with others on here that there's something of an atmosphere/service type of problem. First, the hostess asked sort of inconfidently if this absolutely ridiculously-placed table was okay for us. Nope.Then someone tried to take my plate when I was still eating, and we generally felt rushed by the staff. (Granted, a huge crowd was waiting. But if I'm going to spend $20 on brunch, and haven't been taking up a space for a crazy-long time or anything--eh, I want to finish my tea and converse for a minute.) The use of space here is kind of crazy. I got up to go to the bathroom before I left, and the tables were so jam-packed that I had to walk along this handicapped-accessible ramp to get through the throng. I'm not sure how the servers were getting food through. Despite the handicapped-accessible ramp going over a small stair (I think), the overcrowding means the place in general doesn't seem very handicapped-accessible, even if they're claiming to be. I also noticed a guy who was blind and being led by his dog seemed to have a pretty hard time getting from his table to the door. Then when we went to actually leave--as others noted, WTF with the no-waiting-area? Everyone was literally packed into the entrance way. Maybe 15 people directly between the doors and the hostess station. & you actually had to sort of push your way through. Has got to be a better system--either give up some space to make a waiting area, or make people stand outside to wait. Certainly the place seems to be doing well despite the problems, but be prepared for a little raucousness. And maybe avoid the weekend rush if you have any sort of mobility issues. Fab food tho, and I bet it's great if you hit it at an off hour.
(3)
Erich Z.
There are two things that must be known before eating at Caf Zola. First, it's pricey. It's Ann Arbor, so you knew that, right? I'm just saying, you *will* be paying $8 for those eggs and bakey. Second, it takes a long damn time to eat there. You'll wait for a table. You'll wait, at the table, for your hostess. You'll wait for the server. You'll wait for your food. And then you'll wait for refills, the check, change, and anything else you may need at the moment. Brunch for two takes over an hour on Saturdays usually, if you're wise and thinking about the meter outside. That said, the food is excellent. The crepes are simple and sweet or savory. The heartier fare is simple too, and delicious. I enjoyed the Turkish Eggs, so go outside your comfort zone. Or don't - it will still be good. Go there for a delicious, casual, slow, relaxed brunch and you'll be leaving a happy patron.
(3)
Tom A.
'asparagus ommlette' = ONE piece of asparaagus we loved this place in the late 90s. just great for hanging. then it went all bistro-y, started making worse food at higher prices... go figure. it's been a while but I wouldn't ever go back.
(1)
Glenn F.
Just had dinner there this past weekend and I have to say that I was very pleased with the food that was provided for this group. The service for this table of 7 people was very good. Food and drinks were all delivered promptly and courteously. The prices were just a bit high for my taste. I remember when Cafe Zola was a humble coffee shop. I have fond memories of modestly priced teas, coffee, and amazing baked goods. I miss those days. I have also been here for Sunday brunch. That was a lovely experience. If you can get past the prices, this place is certainly somewhere you can go for a nice meal.
(4)
Eric K.
Cafe Zola has to be my favorite breakfast place in Michigan. The Nutella Banana crepe is wonderful. It's right downtown Ann Arbor too, so you can explore downtown after breakfast. A great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning.
(5)
Parisa K.
My favorite thing about this place are the crepes. They are just so good and delicious and hard to come by. I usually just come for a sweet crepe and some tea. I have dined in a few times, sadly never for brunch. Their dinner entrees are a bit too expensive for my budget, but they have excellent appetizers you can split and tasty salads that make a great meal. The location is right in downtown Ann Arbor, and the atmosphere is both fun and relaxing. All around, Cafe Zola is a good time.
(4)
Philip P.
Good lord, Chimichurri steak! Wasn't expecting such flavor from a place with mostly reviews on the excellent coffee. This place delivers on dinner!
(4)
Phillip L.
My favorite brunch spot in A2, easy. I have fond memories of Sunday brunch with friends over delicious food, giant pieces of toast, and cups of coffee so big you could fit your fist in it. Brunch wait time can be a bit crazy though, so be prepared to come way early or wait in a cramped space. I've also had dinner here before, but it's on the pricier side. I think brunch is still the best value. It's also a trek from UM campus though.
(5)
Joe C.
Cafe Zola is one of my go-to brunch locations, especially on Sundays, when you can find free parking downtown. While some of my friends love the crepes, I tend to stick with the omelettes or the waffles. The coffee has always been good, either french press or regular drip. The herb butter with the toast is amazing. While there is often a wait during prime brunch times, the interior is nice and the service reasonable once seated. It's a bit on the expensive side, but nothing terrible. More seating would be nice, but everything is arranged as optimally as possible given everything there. While I wouldn't go there every weekend, I have been known to go several times in quick succession, if only to have both a savory and sweet brunch there. I've only been there once for dinner, which was a while ago. They messed up my order (my chicken was never put in) but they ended us giving us free food and drinks. It wouldn't be a first choice to go to for dinner again, but I wouldn't refuse if that's where people wanted to go.
(4)
Christy L.
Came here for a work group dinner tonight. They accommodated us well. The food was delicious! We got bunch of appetizers, most of them are great. Ingot the pan roasted mero with miso for entree. That was one of the best fish dish I've had. The fish is juicy and tender, feels like it melts in your month delicious!! But the portion of the dish seems a little on the small side. I would definitely go back again just for that dish.
(5)
Dug S.
Hands-down best, and appropriately, most expensive fancypants brunchy place in town. Zola is the regular morning spot for the politicos, buttoned-up business folks, laid-back tech founders and funders, and other well-heeled types in town. Staples of the Zola experience: great, endless coffee; appallingly huge portions; herbed, crispy potatoes and monster omelettes and waffles; Zingermans bread as "toast" with creamy, whipped herbed butter; attentive, super-accommodating service (anything you want, any way you want it, if they possibly can). Atmosphere here is like a Pixies song - quiet, LOUD, quiet, LOUD - tranquil early-morning and mid-afternoon, but shouting-match volume with a full house. Tables are crammed together in an open floor plan, so don't expect a lot of privacy - this is the kind of place people come to see and be seen, in a glad-handing business context (Sweetwaters across the street has played matchmaker to more of the singles coffee club). Parking is surprisingly easy right in front before 9, and there's the big city surface lot across the street. There are plenty of times I prefer to skate down the block to the Fleetwood for hippie hash, endless donut shop style coffee, and a different kind of community - but this is usually well after midnight, soused, with ears ringing from a show or after the annual Punk Week shopping cart races that start there. Still, Zola's never thrown me out skateboarding in off the street with my backpack, or grabbing an outdoor table with other grimy, sweaty dudes. If you're looking for a nice place to entertain guests, or hide out for a minute and treat yourself to a Zen morning at dawn at one of the two isolated two-tops by the windows, or the corner spot at the bar), well, you'll be fighting me for it.
(5)
Ben U.
Absolutely amazing! Go for the omelettes, guaranteed satisfaction every time! Kind of pricy but ensures quality! 10/10
Finally- a restaurant in A2 worthy of 5 stars! My fiance is from Ann Arbor and lives very close to here, so we came here for Sunday brunch last weekend. We arrived around 10 AM, so although it was starting to get crowded, we were seated right away. The hostess was pretty curt, but luckily getting seated was our only interaction with her. We sat inside (outside was totally full, and the outdoor seating is pretty much all two-tops). We started with coffees for the ladies and a spicy bloody mary for the man. The coffee was good and the waiter brought us our own creamers without asking, which I really appreciated. Neither of us take sugar, but we do like cream! My fiance enjoyed his bloody mary, and was pleasantly surprised that he could actually taste the heat. My fiance got the American breakfast (he was a bit disappointed to see no classic eggs benedict on the menu. With a shellfish allergy, he can't partake of their crab cake version!) His disappointed ended when they brought his eggs, potatoes and sausage to him, though! The sausage was particularly good, as it was much larger and more flavorful than traditional breakfast sausage. His mom ordered the Shakshuka, and she also enjoyed it. It was a bit on the spicy side, but she ate every last bite! I ordered the Turkish brunch, which was the absolute highlight of the meal. The dish is beautifully composed on a large plate, with two types of cheese, olives, a hard-boiled egg, dolmas, and tomatoes and cucumbers. It comes with an entire basket of delicious, fresh-baked bread, complete with butter and fig jam. The feta cheese was creamy and deliciously briny, and went beautifully with the fig jam. There was an enormous cinnamon roll in the breadbasket, which the fiance devoured as his breakfast dessert. I strongly recommend Cafe Zola, and hope to return the next time we're in town!
(5)
Maggi I.
Make no mistake: I go to Zola for the crepes. It's #3 on my list of breakfast places in Ann Arbor. Their breakfast dishes are plentiful and delicious, made with fresh ingredients. They have great tea and smoothies and their breakfast potatoes are not fried. There are too many good things on the menu to list suggestions, but the Frittata Zola is fantastic. On weekend mornings, Zola is loud and crowded. The seating is not very comfortable. I still go on weekends sometimes, but I'm more likely to be found there weekday mornings before work with one savory and one sweet crepe.
(4)
Megan K.
This is my favorite brunch / lunch spot in Ann Arbor. Every time I go, I plan to order the Turkish breakfast and then hope that someone else orders the salad trio so that I can share, and then, when I get my wish, I don't want to share and get territorial over all of the delicious cheese and pastries. Yum.
(4)
Kristine K.
Dear Cafe Zola, We only just met, but I think I've fallen in love. I'm not sure if it was the herbed butter that you served with the bread accompaniment to my meal (the mixed pieces of wheat and sesame were a nice touch, by the way), or the way that you took the time to grill the asparagus before folding it into the delicious omelette, or the freshly cut fruit that you so kindly substituted for the breakfast potatoes, and surely, your cool atmosphere didn't hurt either...All I know is, you got it, baby! Your admirer, Kristine K.
(5)
Amy C.
Fantastic brunch spot. I've been to almost all the brunch spots in Ann Arbor and Cafe Zola is a standout. The restaurant is hip, trendy, with a mellow ambiance. A solid place for large and small groups, but it'd be a good idea to make a reservation in advance since they get pretty busy, especially on the weekends. I've tried several things on their menu-- from their famous crepes to waffles to omelettes to even their Turkish eggs-- and Cafe Zola delivered every time. All the classic brunch items like crepes and waffles come in huge portions, but that doesn't mean Cafe Zola sacrifices on quality. The food is made with superior ingredients and has always been immaculately presented. Additionally, I really appreciate their diverse menu, in which I was pretty surprised to find Turkish eggs listed. As far as I could tell, they tasted authentic, proving that Cafe Zola can do it all, and do it well.
(4)
Jeff N.
This place really lives up to it's reputation. The food and service were both excellent and I will return next time I am in Ann Arbor.
(5)
Anika P.
Nothing special, way overpriced.....we had a salmon crepe, which was barely any food, the salmon was good but the whole dish was not worth the price....the omelette didn't have anything besides the minimum sausage, the peanut butter smoothie was good, the berry one was eh. Will not return.
(2)
Magnus L.
I came here for lunch in the middle of the week, the place was packed. We didn't have to wait long to be seated. We had a big party, most seemed to order their breakfast dishes and were very happy. I ordered the love burger with fries. The burger was really good, juicy with lots of flavor. The burger came with several dips on the side that was really good. The fries very really good as well. Service was great throughout the meal, I will definitely come back here.
(4)
Tricia K.
Went here for a belated Valentine's Day plus birthday dinner. Its a pricey place so I would only come here on special occasions but all of the food was very good and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for a nice date or place to get together with friends. Both of us started with a special Blood Orange Salad served that night. I am glad we were both selfish and ordered our own because it was not big enough to split as it was barely side salad sized. He had sea scallops for dinner and I had the sea bass as recommended by other reviewers. Both were cooked to perfection (i.e not over cooked). Now we come to dessert, why is it that so many restaurants in AA have either ice cream with every selection or they are dairy based? Not that I mind much, I love dairy desserts. But BF is dairy intolerant and many times we have to skip the best part of going out to dinner because there isn't anything we can get. However, I talked him into getting the warm chocolate cake and we got the ice cream on the side which I am glad we did because it was delicious.
(4)
Sam G.
This place might be three stars if it weren't for the prices and the hype. I've been here about six times for breakfast and brunch. Sometimes even if I wasn't paying I left feeling I had paid too much. Service, even when it's not very busy, is removed and abrupt. Good luck when the place is hopping. I always feel like a cog in a machine (and not the Charlie Chaplin funny kind). The food never wowed me. All of the benedicts (yup. all of 'em. I'm a benny addict) were bland and the textures were all off. The crab cake was fishy and mushy. The eggs didn't bleed perfection. Their omelets and hash are also just so-so. I could get better seasoning and flavor at a diner, honestly. There are basically no vegan options here whatsoever so careful if you want to go that route. You can have a bagel with some mustard and a tomato - and that will run you 6 bucks. There's also something about the clientele that really gets my hair to stand on end (and the rest to fall out from stress). Call me an urban manner stickler but if I'm holding the door for you with one hand, and a stack of to-go boxes in the other, at least thank me? This has happened to me not once but three times. I have also had the door literally slammed in my face and been physically shoved out of the waiting line. All of this on separate occasions. I see good reviews here for the crepes and waffles so if I ever get finagled into going here again, that's what I'm going to try. The savory route has broken my heart. Hopefully the sweet can mend it.
(2)
Meeta B.
Ok, so this is soooo dating me, but I'm alright with that. I was a fan of the old cafe Zola's when it was a coffee shop and you could get a ridiculously delicious crepe at night and study there. And then, it changed. The food- it stayed good and I still went but not as often and then it became I came here for a drink with friends and didn't try the food. So fast forward to a few weeks ago when a friend of mine came into town and stated she had never been to Zola's and would like to go. Now, since she was a guest in town I said sure and we went. The omelettes? I had gotten the Nadia's omelette, which has been my standard order there at brunch for years. It never disappoints! Even though I asked for a half order, this was by no means a fluffy delicious omelette. My friend had gotten the asparagus and goat cheese omelette and felt that it didn't have enough of the filling in it. We also got drinks that were good but nothing that surprised us. After paying almost 28 a piece with tax and tip, I think we felt that might be the last time we go to Zola's for awhile. Perhaps I should've just stuck to the banana nutella crepe, which has always made me happy. And, maybe I wouldn't have been disappointed. Ah well. The service was good and our waitress was great, but the food just left me so disappointed and yearning for the Zola's of the early 2000's.
(2)
N Y.
We made reservations here for family weekend and had an enjoyable evening. My husband ordered the whole barramundi wrapped and baked in parchment- it was really excellent and everybody had a bite. Also ordered was the flat iron and strip NY and both entrees were cooked perfectly to order, and allowed to swap potatoes for mash. Service was prompt and friendly, prices are reasonable for very good food, and has a nice cafe atmosphere.
(4)
Kelly E.
Frittata Zola. Do it. Seriously. A thin egg frittata with sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, challah croutons and goat cheese. It was huge for one person, so I had amazing leftovers. Comes with roasted potatoes. If you ask for no potatoes, they bring you bread with herbed butter. Subbing carbs with an equally delicious carb is always appreciated! It's crazy packed on the weekends. If you're okay sitting at the bar, you'll get placed sooner. They do egg whites in everything, if that interests you. I, personally, love yolks.
(4)
Katie C.
It's really unfortunate that I have to give Zola two stars, because they have one of my favorite breakfasts in town. I just love the Turkish Eggs. Unfortunately I have to do my best re-creating them at home for myself because I can't stand the consistently shoddy service there. I've been more than a dozen times (because of those eggs!) before I gave up and said never again. I never had service that was even average, always really, really slow.
(2)
Anne P.
My family and I went here for brunch a few weeks ago to celebrate a birthday and we were very disappointed. The restaurant is so noisy that we could not carry on a conversation without shouting. It was actually a relief to leave when the meal was over. I thought the crepe I had was uninspiring. So although we like the decor we won't be going to Zola's again.
(2)
Jose S.
Unique menu. A little pricey. Will, our waiter, was charming, funny and attentive. We plan on returning soon.
(4)
Aleks S.
After a night spent at the Weber my girlfriend and I decided to have brunch at Cafe Zola. All the reviews and pictures definitely helped us make a decision on visiting this restaurant. First Impression: The atmosphere is energetic, upbeat, decor is modern, lots of exposed brick walls, a variety of light fixtures, cool bar. They are busy here so my assumption is that one would have to wait at times, we only had a 5 minute wait. We skipped the table and decided to sit at the bar, bartenders are very attentive and service is fast, which I like. We started with a couple of Lattes a raspberry flavor shot, and a couple of mimosas. The drinks were very good, totally satisfied with them. My girlfriend ordered the crab cake benedict which was very good, no complaints there. I had the farmers omelet, it had peppers, onions, ham, havarti cheese and redskin potatoes on the side. The omelet and the crab cake benedict were very good portions, actually the omelet was enough for 2, its huge! Taste was great, service was as well so why not 5 stars? Well.... It's a little pricy, I like this place and we will go back when we are in the area, but will be more conscious of what we order. Definitely recommend, go check it out, you will not regret it!
(4)
Saloni G.
Phenomenal place for brunch. Wayyy better than Angelo's/Afternoon Delight etc. The food tastes fresh, the concept is different (Turkish?) and the staff is great. Definitely try the bloody marys. Watch out on Sundays- the line can be down the block. One of my favorite places in Ann Arbor!
(5)
Amelia H.
For the price, I expected better. I had the eggs crab cake benedict with the rosemary potatoes and coffee, which should probably be some of their best breakfast dishes. My companion had Hediye's breakfast(sp?), an olives-and-tomato egg scramble type deal on a bagel, with the strawberry lemonade. Both were served to us barely lukewarm - clearly had been under the heat lamps for a while. Mine (the benedict) was good, but nothing special. My companion, on the other hand, hated his breakfast - he said he'd had better eggs on bagels at McDonald's. Both were barely warm and definitely lacking in the flavor - just generally really unimpressive, especially when you're shelling out a good $50 total for two breakfasts. The service was decent, despite the restaurant being packed for Saturday afternoon brunch, but the food really left something to be desired. I had pretty high hopes for this place after reading the reviews, but frankly, there are far better places for brunch in Ann Arbor for half the price. Not worth the wait; not worth the money.
(2)
Benjamin F.
Best upscale restaurant in Ann Arbor. Hands down. blows other places (with the exception of Pacific Rim and Vinology) out of the water. Get the Crepes for Brunch, the lemon Tagliarini for Dinner, and the sausage sandwhich for lunch, and you'll be very happy. Not terribly pricey either. Great service. Also the Zingerman's bread and Olive infused Butter spread is phenomenal.
(5)
Lil'J R.
A Scot and two Indians walk into Cafe Zola .... Straight of the catwalk prances our waitress Crystal. All ponytail and disgust for the entire human race. After some confusion over the request for Cranberry juice, strong tea and coffee with milk, all of which challenging orders I know, we ordered our food. I think my waffle order mananged to penetrate the shadow of a Crystal brain cell but sadly my friends were not so fortunate. Assuming that robots can pick up on keywords, my friend simply re-called the crepe description of the one she wanted: plain crepe, orange hazelnut butter. And so began the naming of the crepes. The choice was orange OR hazelnut butter. Realizing that this could become a never ending struggle over good and evil my friend quickly picked one: orange butter. I breath feeling the end is near. Our order is robotically read back to us... blah blah blah hazelnut butter. At his point, ready to pour melted butter into my own eyes, I interject. "She just wants orange butter." So after all that you'd think the crepe would come with the damn orange butter right?.... sigh. Throughout this rich and joyous dining experience we were met with constant reminders from our waitress that she was resting on a higher plain of existence than the rest of us. TELLING somebody to move the menu so that you can put down the plate is both unnecessary and downright mean. Seeing three people exchanging money does not mean that these three people are thickos and need your help to split the bill. I'm giving Cafe Zola a star for the tasty waffles. Crystal got a $2 tip. Simply for not murdering one of us in the restroom.
(1)
Beck E.
Came here for cocktails in a group of 10 at night (had to call ahead to make reservations), and they were quite tasty. I had a bellini and something else... both very good, each $9-10. I was a bit taken aback to see that the spaghetti & meatballs was $26. Whooooooa. I don't care how good it is, I am not paying that much + tax + tip for a plate of pasta.
(4)
S L.
The food is usually good, but the waitstaff is touch and go. The last time I went there for a birthday celebration dinner the waitress gave me my filet mignon without utensils or knife. She made her way around the table and I asked her when she was close by if she could please give me a knife when she had a chance. She gave no response. The next time she came around I asked again -no response. So then as she was leaving the table and I said, "Excuse me, miss?" She retorted, "I heard you! You will just have to wait." I told her that I was sorry but I never knew if she could hear me. By the time I had a knife my filet was stone cold.
(1)
Sylvonna R.
I cannot believe I have lived in Ann Arbor almost my whole life and had never discovered Cafe Zola. THIS is my new favorite weekend brunch place. I felt like I was back in Washington, DC at some trendy little cafe where all the hipsters hang out after their long nights that turned into early mornings. With a menu that has savory crepes and sweet crepes, salads, sandwiches, omlettes, burgers, waffles, french toast, pastries and basically anything else your heart could desire, there is a place for everyone and their appetite. The atmosphere here is great! Perfect location right downtown Ann Arbor. Though bustling and a bit crowded, it seems like the perfect spot to meet a friend and catch up without fear that you'll be taking up a table for too long or worry that your conversation will get too loud (just my kind of place). The staff is friendly and helpful even when they are busy. Cafe Zola has everything I could ask for in a restaurant; I will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Amy B.
Cafe Zola makes me cranky. When I first moved to Ann Arbor in the early aughts, Zola was a chill, laid back cafe that turned into a hot brunch spot on the weekends and a bistro around dinner time. During the day, you could park yourself on one of their funky velvet couches or little cafe tables, hook up the laptop, and pound away on the keyboard while slurping bottomless coffees and inhaling pastries. They changed their business model several years ago to be more like a restaurant and less like a cafe. Basically, there is no more grad student lurking in Zola. This is now a serious upscale eatery, where every patron is seated properly at a table eating food and leaving when they're done. Which would be fine--there are many restaurants that I love that can also be described this way. But Zola is so effing pretentious, and the food just doesn't back up the attitude. Either Zola trains its staff to act snotty, or the owners tend to hire people who are that way by nature. The greeters and servers are almost uniformly unfriendly. Nothing here in my mind is exceptional food. I like the Belgian waffles covered in ice cream and sweet toppings, but it just takes a trip to the grocery store to make something similar at home. The sandwiches are good, but again, easily replicated--and while I know Zingerman's bread is the hallmark of a good restaurant in Ann Arbor, I would appreciate not having a sore jaw after trying to eat my sandwich. Enough with the crusty old bread! I usually order the meatloaf sandwich here for $12. It's ok. Just ok. By comparison, my favorite meatloaf sandwich in Boston in one of the most expensive areas of town is $9 and about 3 times as delicious. I'll use one specific experience here to illustrate. Some friends were getting married, and asked me to organize a brunch for the wedding party (mostly out of towners) at Zola the day of the wedding. I made a reservation but we still had loads of fun with table mishaps and them refusing to seat us when one member of our huge group had trouble getting parking. Yep, 13/14 people in a group is not enough for them to seat you. The food was its usual mediocre self. Then the bill came, and jaws dropped. Over $7 for a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice! We joked that you could buy a bag of oranges AND the labor to squeeze them for less than that price. Let's see, good things to say about Zola. They have a good tea selection. Their coffee is strong and tasty (but overpriced, especially considering that Sweetwaters is about 20 feet away). But really, the only reason I'm giving them the second star is because I remember the way it once was.
(2)
Claire H.
The food saved this review! Our service was awful. My husband's coffee did not get delivered to the table until half way through our breakfast. The server blamed the bar for being "distracted", when in reality my husband and I could see her and other servers chatting in the back of the restaurant. I had ordered chocolate milk which ended up tasting like chocolate powder water so I sent it back (even though it also was not delivered until half way through our meal), and got the fresh OJ instead. That turned out to be a much better choice, but we were shocked the server did not waive the $5 juice as the drink did not arrive until my last bite of food. The service was awful, but the food was amazing. Loved the salmon hash - such a unique combo of flavors! My husband had the strawberry banana crepe and it was delicious. The bread and herb butter was also out of this world. We will be probably go back, but will be hoping for a different server!!
(3)
Kate P.
My Monte Cristo sandwich was amazing! So fluffy and rich. The coffee is also good, which is important for brunch. Loved it!
(5)
Artime M.
Nice brunch spot with a simple menu. I had the asparagus and goats cheese omelette, which was satisfactory. My friend had one of the waffles and it was phenomenal! I'd go back for the waffle. The cappuccino was fantastic too.
(4)
Gina D.
Came here for brunch on Saturday, 12/15/12. The place was packed, and the wait was around 15 minutes. The menu is quite extensive, but I was looking for something to quell a sugar craving. I decided that the Nutella Banana Crepe sounded perfect. In the meantime, while I waited for my crepe, I decided to order a French Press made with columbian coffee. I had that before at Sweet Lorraine's and it was very good. Unfortunately, this coffee was just too strong for my liking, so I had to send it back, it was around $ 8.95, and I did not want to pay that much for coffee that I did not like. But the crepe was to die for. Just perfect in every way. Nutella, banana, crème chantilly, toasted almonds, and raspberry sauce (on the side please). They are very generous with the scoops of ice cream also. Husband had a salad with tuna. He had ordered this before for dinner and liked it. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Tanya A.
4 stars sounds about right. This quaint little cafe is a wonderful option for brunch. It is located conveniently near a parking lot in the heart of Ann Arbor. With French and American influence, Cafe Zola offers a wide variety on their menu and is vegetarian friendly. My table ordered steamed almond milk, hot chocolate, a Hediye's breakfast, Portabello Panino, creamy tomato soup, and a banana nutella crepe. The almond milk was just as it says, almond milk. It was good. The hot chocolate was not that hot. Fail. It was, however, not too rich and not too sweet, so I appreciated that. The Hediye's breakfast, a Zola favorite, was mehh.. It came on a bagel, I chose the everything bagel, with scrambled eggs and vegetables. The array of vegetables was interesting..I wouldn't prefer to have asparagus with eggs though. Overall, that dish was bland. For an everything bagel, it didn't have everything on it, especially my favorite, garlic. The eggs lacked flavor, so the salt and pepper at the table had to suffice. I also asked for tabasco sauce and ketchup, to spice it up a bit. The panini was good, but in general, I'm not too big of a fan of paninis, so again, it was okay. The chips on the side, however, were fantastic. They were a collection of exotic vegetable chips. I've had them before, and they are always good. The pickle was no good. As for the banana nutella crepe, a la mode...yummy. There was a bit of raspberry sauce on there, which was a nice touch of something sweet and tangy to something so rich. It also complimented the ice cream well. The toasted almonds were a great addition as well...I only wish they put more of it on there. It was a good dessert and filling for three. The waitress was nice but a bit slow, especially for a slower day at the eatery. Altogether, the food was mediocre but the menu was great, and I appreciated the effort. Maybe I came on a bad day because my friends raved about this place before I went. I have given it the benefit of the doubt and reviewed Cafe Zola as a 4. I will most likely come back to Zola when I am in Ann Arbor again.
(4)
Lindsey S.
my most FAVORITE place in all of ann arbor !! it is scrumptious , ALWAYS! On a nice sunny day, there is nothing better than to kick it outside of cafe zola on w.washington, this part of the street always has some great people watching. they have comfortable seating indoors and out. its kinda fun to go to zola at different times, bc they re arrange some of the "dining" room furniture. there is a bar stool seating as well! FULL STOCKED BAR - great craft cocktails and sangria. For lunch or brunch - this is your spot !! you can order almost everything under the sun here, but this menu stops at 4PM. I love their crafty omeletes - they bring a new level of high class and deliciousness to their omelettes - not just your typical greasy whites. Even tho the omelette may seem a bit pricey its totally worth it!! *Artichoke Omelette13.95 -- An open-faced oven baked omelette with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, green beans, potatoes, and red onions under its melted topping of savory Vermont cheddar cheese. nothing tops this in my book!! *crepes!! they have sweet and savory and normal crepes, its not every day you get a fabulous crepe, tastes straight out of france. * kobe burger and fries - juicy burger that is tender and delicious. the fries are sprinkled with rosemary ( maybe), something real good and salt. they've got this burger down!! comes with homemade sauces. ***** Flat iron steak sandwich **** o man !! this dish !! it fills a hole in ur heart like no other dish, its the most perfectly tender pieces of steak, that is worth way more than the $13 for the dish - it comes with the most mouth watering camerlized onions, and onion roll, which i got toasted. this dish also comes with pomme frites !! skinyy lil fries with parmasean on top sprinkled. all in all they have this mouth watering sweet potatoe squash soup, that i count down the days until they serve it each fall !! no joke. the "bowl" size is ginormous , you really dont have to order anything else if you get this. the "cup" size is served in a tea cup - a bigger one. the other best part is THEY SERVE ZINGERMANS bread !! with olives and a homemade butter. white semolina is the bomb bread, eat it up and enjoy!!
(5)
Tony L.
Not a bad place for a more upscale breakfast/brunch. Their open-faced omelettes are a nice change of pace from the typical kind. I have heard it gets very busy during peak hours, but it is nice and quiet early in the morning just after opening (7am). In the end, however, it's a bit tough to justify $20+ (with tax and tip) for an omelette and some coffee.
(3)
S H.
Better break the piggy bank for this one! A bowl of oatmeal is nearly $9.00 and if you want soy milk with that, add 90 cents. For four of us the bill came to $100 with tip. This was for breakfast--no alcohol and only one fancy coffee drink!!! I will say the portions are huge--too big really. The server should have told us how much food there was going to be. After you eat, just head straight to University Hospital for an angioplasty--no healthy eating at this place.
(2)
S S.
Cafe Zola was excellent. We had the lobster salad, Hawaiian Tuna and the Sea Bass. All of them were remarkable and the service was fantastic too. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in Ann Arbor. Love this place!
(5)
Dawn N.
Wow! What a little gem of a place. We drove out on Parents Weekend unknowingly and arrived without reservations. Before we were turned away the lovely staff made arrangements (with a time limit) so that we could enjoy a fantastic dinner with good friends. I had the sea bass on special with cous cous and honey covered carrots. My husband had a steak dish. Both unique, delicious, and equally good. The owner came by to greet our friends (who are regulars of sorts) and we had just a most enjoyable evening. What I liked about Cafe Zola is the mix of sophistication and casualness. Anyone could walk in and feel comfortable, because honestly...its about the food.
(4)
M. S.
I should start by saying that I love the food & ambiance at Zola and often choose to go there for special occasions, but on my latest trip there on Sunday, I was a little disappointed with our experience. It seems like Zola's become a victim of its own success in some ways. I was seated at a table where I kept getting jostled by people going by; it seems like they should take out one table to avoid packing people in like sardines. The service was very nice, but toward the end of our time there, we started getting the hustle to give up the table (and we had only been there for an hour and fifteen minutes). Three different people, none of whom was our server, asked us if we needed a box for our food within the course of two minutes, and one woman brusquely cleared the water glasses off the table as we were about to leave but still seated. Meanwhile, they were so busy that requests for things like a knife, etc, went unheeded. I know Zola is busy on weekends and they wanted the table for the next set of customers, but it still left kind of a bad taste in my mouth. I don't go out for brunch often, but when I do, I like to be relaxed and not hurried out. Furthermore, I'm sensitive to the fact that we shouldn't take up tables all day. However, I think this was a case where they were so focused on getting the next round of customers seated that they were rude to ones who were already there. It's too bad, and I hope that they address this issue with their staff, as I really do love to come to this restaurant.
(4)
Joan G.
Too much people, so u should not expect too much attention. Great snowball waffles with the best ice cream as topping. And the coffee mocha was fabulous! However, I did not enjoy the smoked salmon omelette.
(4)
Andrew C.
Ambiance and service are good. (4 stars) Prices and food are not (2 stars). Came here from out of town on a wedding. Yelped breakfast, and this place came out. These prices are outrageous for such mediocre food. Nothing special don't bother.
(3)
Joe H.
Review #100! My brother goes to U of M. Sometimes he needs a ride home and make the 60 minute drive to pick him up. Usually we go in the evening, make a dinner trip to Zingerman's Roadhouse or Jolly Pumpkin, but I now have a reason to pick him up in the morning. Thanks to the mostly positive reviews, I made sure we were visiting Zola. A Turkish breakfast spot? How could I say no. On top of that, my dad was with us and he likes to try multiple items at new places. The menu is extensive. Lots of goodies to try... First of all, French press coffee. Wow. The Ethiopian variety served that morning was incredibly rich and a had faint cinnamon flavor. So good. I ordered the Turkish eggs. Baked sunny side up eggs, French feta, and sauteed spinach served with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. On the side, I had chorizo. Many layers of flavor. Perfectly cooked eggs with creamy yolk, briny/tangy feta, earthy/sweet spinach, and super fresh cukes & tomatoes. All elements accentuate each other. Salty & spicy chorizo was an excellent compliment to the fresh, rich eggs. Other dishes sampled: excellent thick cut bacon incredible breakfast sausage (as an aside, I was incredibly disappointed that they were out of the locally made Polish sausage - oh well, a reason to return) spiced fruit & strawberry-banana waffles - the waffles have amazing texture and the toppings are fresh and amazingly flavorful Frittata Zola: an interesting mix of sweet, tangy, savory, and texturally complex French toast: even a simple dish like French toast is elevated here. Using Zingerman's bread helps, but the spicing is perfect with subtle sweetness. We waited nearly 30 minutes for a table at 10:00. When we left, it appeared that the wait time had increased considerably, but the wait is most definitely worth it. I would recommend everything we tried, but if I had to order one dish again it would be the Turkish eggs. Quite simply one of the best breakfasts around - period.
Get there early for Sunday brunch. At 9:30: you sit right down. At 10:30: you wait for 30-45 minutes. The press pot of coffee was fantastic - We got the house Sumatran, but a lot of other choices were available (Ethiopian, Mexican, and on and on). I am not a sweets-for-breakfast sort of guy, but I am tempted to return soon for crepes or waffles. The menu looked fantastic. This time, I got the Turkish Eggs and they were done perfectly -- the menu says baked sunny side up, but think poached medium (without being watery at all). Served with the best tomato and cucumber I have had in a restaurant in ages - they actually tasted like they were from an heirloom garden. The bed of spinach, feta cheese, and olives balanced the sweetness of the tomato and cucumber. The thick crunchy sesame seed toast with herbed butter rounded things out. Just real good. Real real good. $40 for two breakfasts (including tip) makes this a once a year treat for this diner, but worth it every time.
(5)
Derek R.
We were here for a Sunday brunch and ended up waiting for almost double their estimated time due to several large parties that showed up around the same time we did. I felt kind of bad for some of the large parties as the owner/manager (?) was remarkably rude to customers waiting for tables. One gentleman in the waiting area had a bloody mary spilled on his camel colored jacket by a member of the waitstaff, which happens sometimes in a busy restaurant, but the woman in charge seemed put off by the fact that he was upset about it. She just handled it really poorly. So, while the personality of the restaurant left a lot to be desired, the food was decent. Nothing special and not terribly different from food that can be had elsewhere in Ann Arbor for vastly less money. We had a party of three, one of whom is five years old, and the bill came to about $65 (with no alcohol and before the tip!) which is highway robbery when you take into account the lousy environment, middling food, and exceedingly long wait. Needless to say I will not be going back. I've been here twice and both times were ruined by my experiences with the same manager/owner woman. She takes her customers for granted and treats them like an inconvenience. I cannot repeat it enough; avoid this place at all costs.
(1)
Badrul F.
I like the ambiance. I don't really believe the price is justified, though. Food has been great every time, though.
(4)
Marla S.
Great service!! Went here for my birthday dinner a couple of nights ago. Not only was the waitstaff very attentive but the food was amazing!! I had the sea bass but everyone else I was with had great meals as well (salmon burger, pasta, steack). Also, they gave me a free birthday dessert (banana nutella crepe) which was AMAZING!!
(5)
Ian S.
Have not been here for breakfast or brunch, but we ate dinner here on a Saturday night. It was a lively, hip atmosphere. The service was a little slow at first as the restaurant very crowded, but still on point. The appetizer (Lamb Kofta) was quite delicious and had an even more delicious mint yogurt sauced. After the Lamb was gone, my wife and I scraped up every last morsel of the sauce with bread provided on the table. The house salad was simple but good, with a light dressing and interesting flavor combinations (fennel, pomegranate, tangy vinaigrette). My wife had the ravioli for her entree, which had a delicious filling of goat cheese and a huge piece of well cooked (medium) salmon. The only complaint here was that a few of raviolis were a tad underdone, but she still finished what she could of the huge portion. My Hawaiian Sea Bass was delicately grilled and coated with a sweet Miso glaze - not overly sweet. It was served alond side some nicely sauteed, slightly bitter broccolini which provided a nice contrast in flavor to the sweeter fish. Although simple and plain, the jasmine rice perfectly soaked up the rest of the miso glaze left behind from the fish. For dessert we had a failry standard, but good creme brulee - which was supposed to be cinnamon flavored, but I could not taste over my glass of scotch. Overall, the hip type of place I would expect in Downtown Ann Arbor and didn't disappoint. We will be back to try brunch/breakfast and would eat dinner again for sure.
(4)
C Y.
Wonderful for dinner with kids even though no "kids menu". Also they have a NUT-SAFE procedure! They can serve people with severe tree nut and peanut allergies; know the origin of their ingredients and segregate prep for your specific order. Something tasty, special and sophisticated for everyone, simple to highbrow palates!
(5)
Chris K.
Delicious. You get what you pay for. Usually seated more quickly than the time they quote you (people walk away; don't go anywhere!), the servers were helpful and polite. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Matt N.
I love this place! The food is a bit on the pricey side but totally worth it!! The waffles are made with yogurt, and the bacon is local and smoked in a special way that gives it so much flavor. I also have gotten the monte Christo and it was amazing and so are their salads! I've never eaten anything here that wasn't top notch! Breakfast, lunch, dinner. It's all good! Lattes and coffee is really good too!
(5)
Lucy Y.
Zola seems overrated. I had one guest with me and we were seated near the window, where a couple was absolutely silent, holding each other hands. Woaah, didn't mean to interrupt a weirdly intimate moment! The seating is very cramped. Dinner was terrible for their prices. My pumpkin squash ravioli was listed as a specialty, came out as $19 (with chicken), and was dry and undercooked. How do two cocktails come out for $22.50?? Absolutely absurd. Not to mention my guest's filet mignon was burnt and had a tangy sauce to it. The strawberry mojito, creme brulee, and butternut squash somewhat redeemed the quality of the food, but I would not waste my money on dinner here.
(2)
Vance W.
Have yet to be disappointed! I've come to Zola Cafe several times for brunch and had very good meals. The staff has always been friendly and attentive. Service overall has been great! Today I stopped by for lunch for a simple meatball sandwich. To my surprise this sandwich was anything but simple; definitely not ordinary. The flavor combination was amazing. It was much more than I expected! I recommend Zola's to anyone looking for quality food coupled with great service.
(4)
John L.
YUMMM!!!! Had the open-faced artichoke omelet. Only thing is I wished it had some meat on it. BUT, its still quite delicious. I need to go back and try the rest of their menu. Great service. good atmosphere.
(5)
Sarah C.
So my parents came to visit me in Michigan for the first time! Going to Ann Arbor is a must. I looked through Yelp and found this place. It was highly rated so why the heck not? I am always worried about seating and even around noon we were able to get seats inside. Everyone wants to be outside in the sun. My parents don't want to get skin cancer so we sat inside. It did get pretty busy a bit later. It is always a bit difficult to order for my parents since they rarely eat out and when they do its Chinese food. Smoked Salmon Omelette15.95 Durham's Tracklements smoked salmon, fresh tarragon, scallions and a creamy mustard sauce make this elegant omelette a gourmet favorite. - My mom loves fish and I ordered this for her. It was a disappointment seeing how there was barely any salmon in this. POO. I ordered an open faced omelette with onions and mushrooms. I ate about 1/5 of it and stopped. It tasted like nothing! X_X I did like the potatoes it came with. Without the potatoes it would have been zero stars. Chicken Salad11.95 Chunk chicken, red grapes and vegetables, topped with toasted almonds on challah.- My dad ordered this and surprisingly enough he loved it. He doesn't eat sandwiches like a normal person though. He eats sandwiches and basically everything with utensils. Haha. Like other reviews have mentioned. It did take a while for us to get our food so if you are really hungry maybe order an appetizer. The bathrooms are really nice! 4 stars! I definitely wouldn't come back.
(2)
Jordan K.
Great place for breakfast in Ann Arbor. Big menu with many options!
(5)
Edwina S.
I mostly end up eating bunch here. Yes, I have a brunch thing... i like to munch on brunch... trying new places, etc etc. Some places are worth coming back to, over and over and over and Zola. The drinks are great, the food is fabulous, the wait sucks arse so bad you could smash a window. Book a table so as to spare the windows, ok? Crepes are ok (speaking actual shell here... Julia Child's recipe will yield a better crepe for you at home IMHO), but the fillings are good. Two thumbs up on the following omlettes I have devoured: Artichoke, Smoked Salmon, Asparagus and Goat Cheese (i grok goat cheese); only one thumb up for the Istanbul (i didn't care for their feta... go with goat cheese... rotflmho) My favorite cocktail remains the Ginger Dragon. Now... to complain... what IDIOT installed the lights near the tables up top?! I have had the window seat a few times... and the heavy glass son-of-a-biscuit whacks me in the head repeatedly (I'm 5'9... average male height... sigh... grrr) DUCK!
(5)
Boris S.
Banana Nutella Crepes $13 (5/5 NOMs) Honey I crepe you so much, Great way to start the day with desert crepe. You can never go wrong with nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread! Lets add some , ice cream, banana slices, toasted almonds, crème chantilly and raspberry sauce. Its like an over topped crepe of goodness. Frittata Zola $13 (5/5 NOMs) Open face omelet? That is just weird and wrong and maybe the best omelet ever created! They just might have turned my omelet work face up! Comes with a nice mix of nomnom goodies like sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, challah croutons and tangy goat cheese. Its like eating a very advance egg pancake. So if you are in town for brunch, stop by and order this. Home Fries (4/5 NOMs) Pretty good home fries. Comes great with any order.
(5)
Allison B.
Hands down one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. There were about a six things on the menu that I really wanted to have, and while I can't say I just broke down and ordered myself a smorgasbord, I was extremely happy with what I ultimately chose -- the Champignon crepe. It just couldn't have been anymore perfect and delicious. The mushroom sauce was very flavorful and the crepe itself was light yet the meal still left me satisfied. I also splurged on a bloody mary and a side of thick-cut local bacon that was so smokey, crisp, and awesome. My friends were equally pleased with their choices. I am not from Ann Arbor (or Michigan for that matter), but if I lived here I feel like I would be at Cafe Zola all the time. It's clear from the variety on their menu and how wonderful my fairly simple meal was that they know good food. This meal was the highlight of my visit!
(5)
Albert T.
This place serves both brunch and dinner. In my experience, it is one of the best brunch spots in all of Ann Arbor. However, while their dinner menu is great, I don't find it to be on the same level as their brunch menu. On top of that, their beverage selection is great whether it is tea or wine you are seeking. During brunch, they serve great mimosas. As for service, I have never had a bad experience here. Each and every time I have been here the servers have been very attentive and adept at providing recommendations.
(4)
Susan D.
We go to the downtown Zola about every three months and have for years. The omelets and other egg dishes are consistently good, with lots of fresh ingredients and yummy home fries on the side and good bread as well. Because we enjoy the food we tend to forget how desperately S-L-O-O-O-W the kitchen is. The servers themselves are great: personable, professional, etc. It is a kitchen issue - maybe not enough space or cooks or I don't know. Don't show up at noon on Sunday and expect to be served soon after your order has been taken. It can be a half hour to 45 min for an order of eggs to appear. But the food is good and plentiful once it arrives and That's why we keep going back.
(3)
Jenny Z.
Went here for brunch one Saturday. I hear it's normally very busy, but on that particular day we didn't have to wait at all! Food is a little pricey, but it all tastes great. If you're extra hungry, I recommend sharing a pastries & preserves basket with the whole table--so good!
(4)
Victoria B.
I was here over the wkd. I had Hediye's breakfast (Hediye's the owner with magenta hair and sometimes her lipstick matches her hair I've heard) anyways it's was delicious and it didn't have any other proteins beyond eggs and veggies. I'm not an olive lover but the olives were really good to my surprise :). My boyfriend had the classic three meat and eggs and he said it was really good. Needless to say we left full and happy. Our service there was excellent.
(4)
Jay R.
Their sausage is smoked and delicious! Expensive but big worthwhile portions make the trip here absolutely necessary. This is the perfect place to experience Ann Arbor if you are a visitor. I came here as a kid and loved it, I came here with a cousin many years later and still love it! The bread is big but tastes so good! 5 stars for sure here.
(5)
Emily G.
4 years as a UM student and not once did I ever go to Zola. As my bestie and I sat in the patio and browsed the menu, we thought to ourselves "this is the kind of place your parents would take you out for brunch when they came to town, or celebrated a nice occasion".. "wait, this is the place you go when you can afford a $14 breakfast. Clearly not me in undergrad". Being able to afford a $14 breakfast (several years later) I obviously felt like a friggin' BOSS. So we sat outside, and ordered.. WHATEVER WE WANTED. Between the 2 of us we shared the Istanbul scramble and the spicy fruit waffle dish, which ended up being almost too much food for 2 overzealous girls. The Istambul Scramble was filled with ratatouille (a french veggie casserole with tomato, eggplant, zucchini and squash) and served with some rosemary potatoes. The eggs were fluffy, the stuffing was actually pretty mild in flavor but cooked at the right temperature (not hard but not turned to mush either). The rosemary potatoes were the absolute best, drowning with potent garlic and olive oil, and topped with some added organic hot sauce that was out of this world. Our spicy fruit waffle basically had an apple compote on top with some walnuts and cranberries. The waffle itself was cake-like, not your traditional style of waffle but still moist and tasty. The fruit on top had been mixed with honey, but it was so little that we needed more liquid to be able to chow down on the dense dish. Since our server was not outside (and didn't come out for a while), we asked another nearby server for some syrup to put on the waffle. He was incredibly sassy... and not in a good way. He told us that the waffle already had honey and we'd have to pay extra for syrup, and basically pointed his finger at us like we were two 5 year-olds getting punished. When our server came out, she got us a bit of extra honey for the waffle, which was free. Had it not been for the sassy waiter, our experience would have been 5 stars. The scramble was definitely a home-run, but the waffle dish definitely needs more moisture or liquid to balance the dense waffle and fruit combo.
(4)
Virginia C.
They have Belgium waffles and crepes... enough said for good Brunch Must do: Champignon Crepe (porcini mushroom sauce is divine). I usually never like savory crepes (I tend to like them sweet), but this was fantastic. Belgium Waffles with Strawberry/Bananas- you must get the Michigan maple syrup- not the fake stuff.. Although this place gets busy on the weekends, I like the casual/family atmosphere- less of a 18 year old college vibe here than the others...--- so I will def. be back again.
(4)
John F.
This is a great place for breakfast or lunch. They may take themselves a little too seriously but the food is great and the service is pretty solid. My only complaint would be the price. Something seems odd about paying $100 for a breakfast for 2-3. Other than the ridiculous prices, this is a very good spot and I continue to come back.
(4)
Juliana M.
I've heard a lot of people rave about brunch at Cafe Zola, so maybe I went in with high expectations, but I was pretty disappointed with the dining experience. The place is extremely crowded, and the service was impersonal. Our food came out cold, and we had to send it back for them to heat up again in the microwave. The portions were small, and for the price, I expected much better flavors. I think I'll be sticking with Angelo's and Afternoon Delight for brunch instead - much more reasonable prices, better taste, and no cold food.
(2)
Maddy S.
First time in Ann Arbor and wanted a nice cappuccino and small breakfast. Saw that the yelp reviews were overall positive and decided to try Cafe Zola out. I was seated right away with a friendly host, greeted by my server within a few minutes and gave my drink order. There were about 4-6 tables seated other than myself. Pros: quiet morning, nice ambiance, friendly host Cons: my menu was disgustingly dirty and sticky and took away from the experience/ turned me off right away, my server was very unenthused, I waited for my cappuccino for 10 minutes- looked around for my server for another 5 minutes and decided to find food and coffee elsewhere. Truly a bummer experience.
Of the multiple times I've tried this place, I have never had a good experience at Zola. That said this place is definitely very popular in AA and like most popular things, it's a downer. You will almost always have to wait to get a table here on weekends. So make a reservation. Food The taste is just meh. Granted it's breakfast food but I expect more for the price I pay. It is kind of like diner food with only slightly better ingredients. Meaning it relies on a truck load of grease and quantity. It leaves kind of a bad taste and I never feel good for hours and on after a Zola brunch. It is definitely overpriced for the quality of their food and service. I paid $60 for 2 people for a regular brunch, no drinks. Service The servers ask you for add-ons when you place an order. They never mention the extra charge and you see $3 entries creep up on your bill once you're done eating. I was asked if the server could 'fill' my diet coke again. Against my better judgement I said yes since the first glass was just filled with ice upto the brim with hardly any coke, and of course I was charged again for it. You are better off choosing another place to eat if you like welcoming and personable service. Sitting Super cramped. My guests and I tripped over twice just trying to get in and get out of our chairs. I don't think it is possible to fit more people in the space they have.
(2)
Jennifer R.
Love their brunch! Salad Zola with avocado and tomato added....healthy and delicious. Great drinks, too. Hendricks lemonade was so good this summer!!!!
(5)
Chelsea S.
Cafe Zola is one of the cutest and most delicious restaurants in Ann Arbor. I've been to Zola on a few occasions and have tried both their breakfast/brunch menu as well as their dinner menu. As great as their dinners are their breakfasts are what you should come for. The interior is charming and clean and provides an atmosphere that is easy to converse in. Service is exceptional and the menu is plentiful. I really love sitting outside on their outdoor tables in the sunshine for brunch. For food their omelets are unique and excellently prepared. Their waffles are sinful and decadent. Their Turkish eggs breakfast with the thick slabs of feta, tomatoes, cucumber, eggs, and bead for dipping is so fresh, simple, clean and flavorful. Their homefries are some of the best I have had; soft on the inside with great crispy exterior. Seal the deal with the fresh Zingerman baked bread basket, honey butter, and a French press to split and you will be so happy. The only reason I won't give it five stars is for the slightly steep prices (particularly at dinner) but I still love this place.
(4)
Terese C.
The food & service for dinner were great. We were there Parents Weekend, so glad we made reservations weeks ago. It was loud but to be expected for Parents Wknd. The gulf shrimp appetizer was quite tasty. Overpriced for 3 shrimp for $12, though. I got the whole fish & my family ordered the flat iron steak. Both were delicious. We did not get dessert. The Moscow Mule drink I ordered was not all that great. I'd go back.
(4)
Kate S.
Have had brunch here several times. It's a nice menu that is a nice deviation from some of your standard brunch fare. I enjoy it since there are plenty of healthier choices. Prices are a tad on the high side, which is why I deducted a star.
(4)
Kate S.
I've checked out a few breakfast joints since I've moved here and nothing beats Cafe Zola. The atmosphere of the restaurant is warm and inviting. They have nice little touches too like real tulips in vases and coffee cake on cake stands on the bar. I ordered the orange juice to start and it was freshly squeezed and not from a bottle. My mom had a cappuccino, which was also very good. For breakfast, I ordered the strawberry-banana delight, which were the best waffles I have had in a LONG time. They mention in their menu that the waffles have more of a cake-like texture, and the difference is noticeable. I had to eat it all, even when my stomach hurt because it was that good! My mom got the Turkish Brunch, which was presented nicely and according to her, it tasted great. The only complaint I had was that service was a little slow, but it was a very busy morning for them and I didn't really mind it. Honestly, this is my new go-to breakfast joint. I recommending it to all my friends in the future!
(5)
Breanna H.
I have heard only wonderful things about this place, but my first experience there did not at all reflect that. First off, we got there and waited over 10 minutes for someone to come and take a drink or food order. During this wait, another couple was seated directly behind us and was served immediately and ahead of us. Once we got to order, if was after 3pm and apparently they no longer serve eggs after 3. We never saw a sign out front, text on the menu, or heard from our server that this was the case. We then had to take more time to choose new menu items that did not include egg. Not all items on the menu specify whether they use egg, so you just get to use your best judgement on this. It's a game of luck! After about 20+ minutes of being in the restaurant we finally got to put in our order and requested to speak with a manager about our service. The manager never came and they ended up bringing me the completely wrong dish. This is one of the few times I didn't send it back because I could not get out of this place quickly enough. I must admit, the wrong food I got was pretty good, but not worth such a poor dining experience.
(2)
Shirley C.
This is seriously where I have brunch every 2 or 3 days. Love the waffles, omelette, and most of the Zola's favorite. Will def stick to this place!!
(5)
Diana N.
The food was excellent. Outdoor seating very nice. Service is good as always. My sister and sister in law are in town for a visit. Zola's is go to for breakfast and lunch. First time for dinner...it will not be the last. My guests felt the same.
(5)
Lauren L.
I still love everything Cafe Zola for bunch/lunch. Cannot recommend it enough! However, I recently tried it for dinner and wasn't as excited. It was pretty empty when we showed up (especially compared to brunch), and I think I understand why. The menu didn't have a strong theme, unlike the brunch menu. It had some salads, some Italian items and some American/Mexican options. Nothing very unique or inventive. I also had bad sticker shock. I've been in Ann Arbor for a while now, and while I'm gradually adjusting for the costs, I still think Zola's dinner menu was especially overpriced. Nothing on the menu really stood out and we had a tough time choosing in the sense that nothing was exciting. I paid over $22 for what amounted to a medium sized chicken salad. It was good tasting, but nothing special. The side bread was good, and they gave us a lot of it. They also offered us a taco appetizer for $6 - a single taco with two shrimp!! We were trying not to laugh - I felt a little bad for out waitress, who seemed embarrassed to have to tell us how small it was. Cocktails start at $10 and even go up from there. I still recommend this place really highly for mornings. Its one of my favorites. But there are much better options close by for dinner.
(4)
Ian M.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots in Ann Arbor. I usually alternate between a few things on the menu, but you really could point blindly and end up with something great. On top of the great food I have always had great service from friendly and knowledgable servers. The only complaint I have is the wait sometimes to get a table as so many other want to eat there. Well also they used to have these really cool photographs on the wall but they usually get new art work to sell for the artists. But other than those two very small things this place is great for lunch and I would assume dinner too.
(4)
Michael E.
Zola's is a nice place for a tasty lunch or brunch. The cooking is creative, the ingredients are of high quality, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They're not cheap, though. Dinner is another matter. Like many contemporary restaurants, they're very much into unusual combinations, contrasting flavors, stacking food vertically, the sort of thing that strikes me as trying to be clever. That's easy to do. What's difficult is presenting good food simply cooked, and letting the ingredients speak for themselves. The last dinner dish I had was have a grilled chicken- which was not bad- sitting on top of a pile of mashed potatoes, squashed flat, and drenched in butter. Off to the side were four pieces of flavorless, overcooked asparagus, and a pile of similarly flavorless chopped leeks. The chicken completely covered the potatoes, which were squashed into a flat puddle, so I didn't really realize they were there until I started carving into the chicken and it slid across the plate. This dish cost $24, and while that's about par for the low end on Main street these days, it wasn't particularly well executed. The fashionable bare brick walls at Zola's also mean this is a very loud restaurant at dinner time. When I'm spending $100 for dinner for two, I like to be able to carry on a conservations without yelling. The noise level makes for a very stressful environment. I don't think I'll be back again for dinner.
(2)
Randy G.
Which do you choose? The restaurant that has a 45 min wait, a crowd loitering amongst the tables on their outside patio or stop in a place that has no wait and you're the only souls? You go with the wait! Your taste buds will thank you happily for waiting. Cafe Zola is a must on the Ann Arbor culinary tour. There is a reason it's packed and you'll wait, because it's good, very good. Lets start with the pretty latte they brought out. Flavors were good, but it's worth noting that the design they drew gave a very nice presentation. The good stuff now! The salmon hash with horseradish creme sauce. How often do you get to eat salmon hash. The hash was prepared very well, rich with the salmon flavor, but not too fishy or overpowering. Cutting into those fried eggs and allowing the yolk to soak up in the hash, creates a perfect mortar, tying the salmon, hash, and eggs all together. It now has a full body flavor. Just when you think the dish is complete, comes the horseradish creme sauce with a little bite to the flavor complimenting the salmon. You want that spicy, horseradish kick to the hash to really make it sing. We couldn't resist and had to try the chocolate and banana crepe as well. Since this was an eating adventure post Big House Big Run 5/10k event, we were craving some more food and carbs. Onto dessert! Many chocolate and banana crepes, served traditionally without ice cream, Zola's comes with it. I would say the bananas were a little mushy and not caramelized enough, but still went well with the chocolate nutella, ice cream, and a thin sweet crepe.
(4)
Brad S.
I was searching for a brunch place on Sunday morning in A squared. My first two choices opened later so I went to #3, Cafe Zola. I liked the look and feel of the place inside and the food choices and taste were good, but there is something about waitstaff that just don't seem that happy to be there that is a major turnoff especially when you're paying $15 for two eggs and sausage. I wouldn't mind trying later in the day as maybe they were out too late the prior night, but I can't give it any more than 3 stars right now.
(3)
Bianca P.
So I've always liked this place for breakfast. Their food is fresh and their smoothies are yummy, but recently, my parents and I went to Zola's for dinner. Now Zola's feels completely different at dinner time (they even cover the tables in white tablecloths) but the food was as fresh as ever. We started with the eggplant crostini and the roasted chickpeas which were super tasty. Then we had a kale and red apple salad which was really lovely. For our entrees I had a salmon burger which was cooked beautifully, my father has the rainbow trout (special) and it was really rich and flavourful and, honestly, I forgot what my mom ordered, but she enjoyed it.
PROS: Their food is pretty darn good - it's on the top of my favorite brunch restaurant list. Their Belgian waffles with orange butter and maple syrup are tough to beat and they have some great savory crepes including the Florentine crepe. The atmosphere is unique and it's well decorated with some original art pieces and if you get there at a decent time, you don't have to wait too long. CONS: while the atmosphere is updated, when they're busy, the noise of the restaurant is difficult to ignore. I do love that that a local business is flourishing, but it's frustrating when they're busy and it's difficult to hear those with you. The menu is a little on the pricier side but competitive for the downtown Ann Arbor area.
(4)
Michael M.
I have been to Zola a dozen times over the years but it seems to have gone down hill fast. Took 20 min to get seated with plenty of tables open. Then it took 15 min before anyone waited on us. We decided to order drinks and food together since we did not know when they would come back. We got our two coffees but my daughters smoothie had to wait. Restaurant service 101... don't bring things out unless everything is ready. Ah wait now I know why... maybe you do not want the coffee to get cold? Too late... coffee cold. Ah will make you a new one.... 15 min later food is gone still no coffee no smoothie, Oh I am so sorry says the waitress... I will comp the drinks and get them to go. 15 min later out come the bill... Where are the drinks? Oh i thought you said take them off the bill. Please just cash me out. Never again. What Crepes it is from now on.
(1)
Mukund R.
I was in Ann Arbor to watch Manchester United play Real Madrid, so we were all in very high spirits when we reached there. There was a wait for about 30 minutes but because of the great reviews here we decided to wait. An hour after we got our table and had coffee multiple times, our hostess comes up to us and tells us that she somehow forgot to put our order in. She seemed to apologize but still gave us a check for our coffee so it's good to know that we spent an hour drinking plain coffee and left hungry and angry. Really disappointed and expected better. My advice to people going there is to keep reminding your server that you're waiting for your food.
(1)
Ed D.
This place was more show then good tasting Food! Great bar tender. I had the Samon hash and my buddy had Turkish eggs an wedding soup. We tried the blooded Mary it was"good". Maybe next year they'll get it right!
(2)
Charles W.
We eat here often. The food is always very good. My wife had the lambchops which are outstanding and I had the salmon which was very good but not really different from other restaurants. Tonight however, the service was very slow. Maybe it was because it was Mother's Day and they were quite busy but the waiter hardly appeared at all.
(3)
Shelia D.
Everyone raved about how amazing this place was. I got there and the wait for the food took forever and when we got the food it was nothing to be impressed about. I mean it was okay but for the price you pay not worth it.
(2)
Joshua A.
While I've heard mixed reviews about Cafe Zola for lunch, My dinner experience there tonight was one of the worst experiences I've ever had at a restaurant! My girlfriend and I showed up on time for our reservations and were seated promptly. We then proceeded to wait at least 10 minutes before a server brought us water and took our drink orders. The restaurant wasn't very busy, and everyone around us was being served so this was unacceptable. After this, the service was generally okay - not friendly, but also not bad. To start we ordered a half dozen oysters on the half-shell. What we received was embarrassing. Three of the six oysters were about a half inch in diameter, so small that you could barely tell that there was an oyster in the shell. The other three where a little over an inch in diameter, still considerably smaller than one would expect. Even overlooking size, the taste of the oysters was bland. I realize that we are in Michigan, but there has to be a quality threshold at which you simply do not serve or charge this much for oysters. For our main courses I ordered the lamb chops, and my girlfriend ordered the ahi tuna. Three lamb chops came out accompanied by cooked spinach and a few pieces of potato. All of the food on the plate was lacking in both quality and flavor. The spinach was over salted and tasted as if it came out of a can. The potato pieces were exactly that, pieces of potato that were boiled with no flavors or spices. While the lamb was medium rare as ordered, it was just as bland as the potatoes, and it was so tough that I struggled to cut it with the provided knife. I could not have given this food less flavor if I had tried. My girlfriend's ahi tuna was even more upsetting. A few small pieces of tuna (probably about 6oz in total) came out on a bed of sugar peas and cherry tomatoes. There was rice on the side. The first thing that was upsetting about the dish was that the tuna was served with a very large amount of wasabi directly on the top, about half as much wasabi as there was tuna. Because it was on the tuna she had to scrape it off before trying the tuna. I do not know anyone who would enjoy this much wasabi on their tuna. The tuna was seared a little bit on the outside as you would expect a good piece of tuna to be served, however it was exceptionally bland. I have had better tuna from cheap sushi places! Searing the tuna should have added flavor, and it added none. The peas and tomatoes were similarly lacking flavor, and they were under cooked. The only slightly redeeming factor of the whole dish is that the rice was good, however it is very upsetting to pay $30 for tuna and only enjoy the rice. Overall neither my girlfriend or I finished our meals. We left after spending $100 (without drinks) on food that we did not enjoy, and that is extremely disappointing. Do not come to Cafe Zola for dinner. You can get better, significantly cheaper food nearly anywhere else in downtown Ann Arbor.
(1)
Smrithi D.
Went to brunch here and loved it! Suprisingly the wait on a sunday afternoon was minimal to none and the waitress was friendly and very helpful. I recommend their fresh carrot juice, its amazing! They crepe I ordered was okay.. nothing to rave about but other breakfast-y brunch items looked delicious! Great place to come with a friend or family, average to slightly expensive pricing but good experience overall!
(4)
Mark S.
Came here after a disappointing experience at Bigalora. Much better! This place is awesome!!
(5)
Roger G.
Service was prompt and the food was great. I ordered the "small plate" mussels, which came out with about 1.25 lbs of mussels, and the shrimp taco, which was absolutely fabulous. I will most assuredly go back
(5)
Kari g.
Salmon hash! Mmmmmm!! Also tried the crab cake breakfast and shakshuka. This place was awesome! Busy... But the wait was not long!
(4)
Rafa R.
I love this place. I've been for dinner but I hear it's even better for breakfast and brunch. Service is good, wine selection is nice and food is excellent. The Caprese Salad (mozarella, tomatoes, basil, olive oil) is delicious and is large enough that I've had it split into two servings. I usually opt for their off-menu special entrees and have never been disappointed, especially with the seafood. The last time I was there I had a whole bronzini en papillote (whole fish baked in parchment). It was cooked to perfection, juicy and full of flavor. I'm also a huge fan of the tuna and scallop entrees.
(5)
C C.
Zola is an all-around great restaurant for breakfast and lunch. They have a variety of items on their menu. I think the Zola specials are the best. The decor is cute. We had the Turkish Eggs and french toast on challah bread, and both were really good. The espresso drinks were delicious. It's a solid place for breakfast.
(4)
Jessica S.
Amazing brunch and service. The coffee is strong and delicious. Their specials are seasonal and were quite unique. I'd recommend this little gem to anyone!
(5)
Ken Z.
Had lunch here this past Saturday. First the bad. Wait was longer than we were told. When we checked in again with server, miraculously a table was ready. Once we ordered, waitress left our table, checked in with some other tables, and then came back to make sure she remembered our order correctly before putting it in with the kitchen. Why the delay/second visit? Just write it down the first time and go put it in right away. The good: Salmon Hash with Dill sauce and eggs (I chose scrambled) $14.95 was excellent and came with a bread basket (Zingerman's?). Turkish brunch item ($12.95) was raved about by companion - she always gets it there. Side of fruit was $5.75. Order of pancakes $9. Food great, service okay. Maybe better when it is less busy?
(4)
Nancy C.
I have heard a lot of great things about Cafe Zola, and it seems to be THE place to bring your family out to for brunch when they come visit. I'm not sure I agree, unfortunately. The omelettes are good and the portion size is decent, but pricy for what they are. My friend ordered the chilled lobster avocado salad here, which looked great but was pitifully small. Sigh.
(3)
Rachael F.
Best. Restaurant. In. Ann Arbor. I do not make these choices lightly, and the icing on the cake is that it's equally as amazing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It took me until the night before graduation (obv a "my parents are in town so they'll get the bill" kinda spot) to make it there for dinner, but it left my pallet wanting more. So that's just what I did when I came back to visit as an alumni last week - got more. Much, much more. Brunch here really cannot be beat. After scrutinizing the menu beforehand, I already knew exactly what I wanted, but it was still a huge internal struggle to resist the temptation of ordering every item they offered. I went with the omelette provencale, mostly because of the caramelized onions (and added spinach...I love my omelets with spinach), and suffice it to say it was heaven on a fork. Despite being completely full halfway through, I couldn't help but lick my plate clean. Thankfully I had the whole day to walk it off and would've been ready to go for round 2!
(5)
Scott G.
Went during restaurant week, our 3rd visit in a year. Started with the shrimp taco as part of the fixed three course menu. Was very tasty, though hard to eat (small taco stuffed with shrimp...had to eat 1/2 of it with a fork before I could pick it up). My girlfriend started with the chowder, which came out luke warm. If it were hotter, it would have been more enjoyable. We both had the Fresh Kale salad, which was bland and a bit disappointing. Could have used a dressing with more taste. For the main course, I had the lamb which was very good. She had the short ribs, which, like the chowder, was luke warm and would have been better if it was a served a bit hotter. Guessing this was a result of them making a lot of these courses as part of the fixed menu. Overall, I'd give this meal a 3, but based on our other two visits, don't want to knock the restaurant too much. It's a nice place, has a cozy feel to it, and I like the martini and overall drink menu. Service is always good, though it does get crowded and there was a wait last night by 7:30 (we dined at 6PM and made a reservation, which I'd recommend). On a prior visit, we had breakfast and it was very good.
(4)
Nancy K.
K and I have been coming here for a few years for brunch, usually with our dear friends from E. Lansing. It's pricey, especially considering breakfast is usually the cheapest meal to eat out. Here's the thing, though: you get what you pay for and at Zola you are getting the best breakfast in town. I always stick with the Americana but have often tried my companions dishes. If they have it, get a side of asparagus - they cook it perfectly. The bread with rosemary butter is also sublime but don't fill up before your meal comes (better yet, request the bread come with your meal). Before today's visit I haven't written a review because the service was always so horrific I couldn't figure out how to score it. We are talking downright nastiness from the woman usually serving as hostess who we think is the owner down to the kids bussing tables. It made the experience less than stellar. Apparently they got the message, because today, from the second we walked in the door, we were greeted with warmth and friendliness. The girl working as hostess, despite her ridiculously short and tight skirt, was incredibly nice and our waiter, Nick, could not have been more awesome. If you've avoided Zola because of the attitude problem, it's time to try it out - just get there early before the crowds!
(4)
Betsy L.
Good food (but not-to-die) for with inflated Ann Arbor rates. Having dined here various times over the past decade, I give the place a 3 because of how they run their business. All their servers are treated poorly. I gather this from observing and from all the many stories I hear from the servers themselves. I figure the restaurant owners get away with it because of their popularity in town.
(3)
Emily F.
I order the Fritatta Zola every time! It is that good in my opinion and there is always some to take home, great reheated later that day. Bloody Mary is excellent! This is a favorite brunch spot for my girlfriends and I.
(5)
Lindsay C.
Let's Share! sweet and savory please... Waffles and lattes are delish! I love waffles and pancakes but I usually end up really hungry so I have to get something savory too. Waffles have a nice crunch and it's made with greek yogurt. I can't put my finger on what it reminds me of but it's something asian and good. Best latte I've had since I've been in Ann Arbor. All those chain store places Starbucks, Einsteins, etc just can't live up to this. I've been here twice and never really had to wait for a table. I tried the turkish eggs as highly recommended came highly recommended by yelpers and I was... NOT impressed... tastes like it sounds, feta, spinach, eggs... probably great for someone who is vegetarian or wants a healthy breakfast but I'm dining out... I want flavors! I should have got something fancy like eggs benedict My friend ordered the omelette which for $10 you get folded egg?... everything else you have to add apparently so he added some sausage and cheese.... $15 later... it was just decent. I'd come back for their waffles, maybe try their crepes, and a a latte. Hold the french toast (I just don't like FT in general).
(4)
Ömer K.
This is a must go restaurant in Ann Arbor !! If you go there during the rush hour, you'd still enjoy it but service will not be as fast. Staff is really friendly and nice. I went there multiple times for dinner and had their lamb chops, OMG... They were really nicely cooked and served. Also try their shrimp tacos, they are great even though a little hard to eat. If you'd like be there during the rush hour, make sure you have a reservation though... sometimes it is really hard to find seats when you walk in without a reservation.
(5)
Amaryllia L.
Had Saturday morning brunch here and somehow lucked out and didn't have to wait at all! Everything on the menu sounded super delicious and I was sooo excited when we finally got our food. I got the Salmon Hash with horseradish cream sauce ($15) and my brunch buddy ordered the Turkish eggs ($13.50). We also got a half pot of green tea for $6.50. Although I really wanted to like this place, I thought the food turned out pretty mediocre, especially considering the price tags. The Turkish eggs made me feel like I was eating spinach that comes frozen in a block and the salmon in the Salmon Hash seemed more like canned meat than freshly cooked. If I have another occasion to come back, perhaps I should try waffles and crepes.
(3)
Justin L.
meh...this place was ok... I went for Sunday brunch and we got seated quickly at the bar thankfully. I got the Turkish eggs and it was not really what I was expecting. Other plates we ate were only okay as well. I do like the fact that they ask you if you want split checks beforehand. They must get a lot of those requests with college kids around all the time.
(3)
Farhaad R.
I always come here with great hopes... And I'm continually disappointed. I can't justify the price considering I've had 3 mediocre brunches... A crepe, a salad and an omelet. The omelet was the best of the bunch, and was cooked perfectly - but probably wasn't worth the wait or the price. It's unfortunate that this place has one of the better interiors amongst brunch venues because that's really the only draw. I'll probably end up eating here again when out-of-towners come to visit... But I won't enjoy the food.
(3)
Cindy C.
I was so excited to have brunch here with my friends when I was home for a weekend, and I have always loved dining here. This time, though, even WITH a reservation, we had to wait over 45 minutes to get a table, and we shrank in size since some people had other appointments they had to get to and couldn't stay and wait. We did have a group of 8, which then went down to a 6 from having to wait so long, and it was on a Sunday, so that was understandable that they were finding it hard to get us all a table. They are infamous for their waitstaff turnover rate, so maybe this explains what happened after we were seated. Our server was very obviously frazzled and in a rush to get our drink order, she seemed very impatient the whole time, and after we got our food she never came back to check on us, just to drop our checks without asking if we needed anything else. So after waiting for so long to get a table, then we felt super rushed by her to get out. Maybe I wanted a bloody mary after my brunch but I didn't get to decide, oh well. Some of us ended up going to The Wafel Shop and splitting an amazing wafel topped with berries and whipped cream for dessert after, which was a very nice, quiet, and calm experience with nice service in comparison. Service aside, Zola's food is still great, I had the salmon bagel plate. It is pricey, even for Ann Arbor, but worth it for a nice treat. I just wouldn't go there again unless they were a bit slower and there was no wait, as the experience was less than stellar. Must get: Any of the crepes, that great open face omelet, Hediye's breakfast, salmon plate, Salade Zola with the toasted goat cheese, their fresh squeezed OJ Must go: When they're not packed and no line...
(3)
Patrick T.
Expensive, but if you can ignore the prices, the food is pretty good. The omelettes are well made with high-quality ingredients. I'm always a sucker for a smoked salmon omelette, and they do it right. The waffles items are sweet and delicious. The snowball waffle is topped with ice cream and you can't really go wrong there. I'm not a huge fan of the savory crepes, but to each their own. As far as lunch, there's no better way to spend a sunny late afternoon than sitting outside Zola enjoying a $20 hamburger and a mojito. Fortunately for your wallet, it's not sunny and warm all that often in Ann Arbor.
(3)
Divi P.
Food - 5 stars Service - 4 stars Person in charge of seating - 0 stars Cafe Zola has always been one of my favorite places for brunch in Ann Arbor and the server and the food have never ceased to be anything short of awesome BUT for the first time we felt a little jerked around by the lady in charge of seating. I am sure it is a stressful tough job, but all your clientele ask is a little honesty. We called in advance and were told 20 minutes but she cldnt put our name on the list till we got there. When we got there we put our name on the list and were told 15-20 minutes which was fine. However it was 45 minutes (and counting) before we finally were told if we would sit outside (with the bees) we would be seated immediately - come to learn there were at least two other groups of 4 who had been there over an hour but cldnt sit outside because of the bees so they were still waiting - once we were seated the food and service were upto par, a little pricey bt you know that going into cafe Zola but I felt obliged to write a review when I learnt how many people had come thinking they were waiting for 20 minutes, only to be waiting well over an hour - we had a flight to catch - had we knows it would be an hour we would have gone elsewhere
(3)
Becky P.
Brunch food is good, but I just spent an hour and a half waiting for food. About to walk out.
(2)
Robert B.
My absolutely favorite place to eat and to bring out-of-towners for breakfast or brunch. Can't beat the lively atmosphere. You can't find a better breakfast in a2. It's worth the wait on the busiest days.
(5)
J R.
Zola. What is going on? We used to love coming through your doors, for the last 14 years -- except for the last visit last week. Food was meh, no love put into it while the waitress clearly was recovering from the night before and forgot everything. Perhaps we got an off moment, but for us it was off-putting as the food definitely required more love for the price being charged. Appears that we will moving on, parting is such sweet sorrow.
(2)
Rachel B.
Came here for a bite to eat before a show. It was a Saturday night and they got us in with no wait (awesome). Got the Kobe burger which seemed right for the price ($15). Asked for the burger medium and it came out well done. Didn't have enough time to get a new one so I ate it and although it was overcooked it wasn't horrible. The fries have Parmesan and rosemary on them- nice touch. Homemade ketchup is delicious although it tastes nothing like the ketchup from a Heinz bottle. Friends got the crab cakes- completely over priced. Two 2" crab cakes for $15. I work in a fine dining restaurant and prices don't usually shock me but that was a horrible portion. Server was not very attentive and we watched as every other table in the restaurant got a bread basket with some sort of olive and butter plate (some even before they ordered dinner), and we never received one nor were we asked if we wanted any. Overall, I don't think I would ever return.
(2)
Melissah L.
My boyfriend and I had a great Saturday morning brunch here at Cafe Zola. I loved the buzzing atmosphere and the fabulous service. There was a little bit of a wait to be seated, but since there were only two of us it only ended up being about ten minutes. We sat at a cute table outside, and our waiter was really attentive and nice. My boyfriend ordered the kobe brunch burger and I had salmon hash. I was pleasantly surprised when our food came to find that the servings were quite large. My boyfriend loved his burger, and I thought my salmon hash was pretty good. It got a bit boring after my first few bites, but I added some salt and mixed in some egg yolk and that helped things a bit. Definitely could have used a bit more flavor, but overall I was impressed the overall experience and I would definitely come back!
(4)
S R.
I honestly don't understand the fuss, Ann Arbor needs more brunch options if this is it's most highly rated one. I find the food mediocre (at best) and the waitstaff stuffy and elitist. And don't get me started on the owner who runs the hostess stand on the weekends, she's a witch!! I heard her go OFF on one of her hosts in front of a full waiting room. She seems like a nasty woman; not someone I want to give my money to. Overrated.
The Turkish eggs made me sad. I thought I'd be getting menemen, but I got this dry egg on some limp-ass spinach. Blech. The fries were a'ight.
(2)
Erin H.
Like a lot of people I wish this place were bigger and not always so crowded or I would eat here more often. And also because it's so loud I can't ever take my parents here due to hearing issues. I have had wonderful dinners here and great sandwiches. I haven't really dived into the brunch menu, but I plan to someday. I'm really excited that the owners plan to open another restaurant in the new Arbor Hills shopping center opening on Washtenaw later this year!
(4)
Hassan R.
The portions are small for the dollar amount, but the food is excellent! The service was nice, and it was nice to sit outside.
(4)
N V.
Try the waffles with the strawberry butter! Best waffle ever.
(5)
Annette J.
Seriously, Zola! How you gonna make the best strawberry and banana waffle ever?! I mean, honestly! It's just a waffle! With fresh strawberries and bananas! And yet, you've got me craving this ish on a regular basis! How does that happen? Ah right! Quality control! Excellent ingredients! The right proportions. REAL WHIPPED CREAM. That's right. You got it. And your crepes? Oh man. The spiced apple crepe with the cranberries and pecans (or was it walnuts? They're both good so it's cool). The perfect fall meal! Love. It. The steamed milk and honey? The most soothing beverage you can get. There can be a wait but it's worth it. And it's usually not too bad (if you're a late riser like I am anyway). The patio outside is lovely for warm days but the inside is loud and bustling. Quite the pick me up! Menu choices abound! Not just waffles and crepes but Mediterranean plates, omelets and other egg dishes, salads, sandwiches, coffee, smoothies, ahhhh! So many choices! Thank goodness my trusty waffle is so good that I never have to worry about feeling overwhelmed. But it's good to know if I'm feeling like a savory dish that I've got options. Many, many options. And they do dinner too! But that's for another day. I'm too stuck on these waffles right now....
Very good service. If you want to add/subtract to your dish, they accomodate willingly. A level of sophistication AND quality that is pleasing. Worth visiting and enjoying.
(5)
R S.
Zola is overpriced for what you receive and not worth the wait--though if pressed to choose would prefer the downtown location to the "Zola Bistro" outpost on Washtenaw. An asparagus and goat cheese omelette should have more than a few ceremonial spears of asparagus and a grudging dab of cheese for the $15 price on the menu.
(3)
Liz P.
There's not a ton of great brunch places downtown besides Angelo's and The Broken Egg, so we returned to Cafe Zola today - I'm an '09 UM grad who hasn't been back to Cafe Zola since 2009. The service was great, we did have like a 5-10 minute wait for a table but that's to be expected on a Sunday around 12pm. I had the waffles with strawberries and bananas (hold the bananas) and syrup and cream and they were delicious. Next time I will try one of their sandwiches or something too since now I know their crepes and waffles are both delicious. They have outdoor seating as well but we sat inside since the weather kept going from hot to cold and back. The food is a little pricey but can't be beat if you are looking for a breakfast or brunch place.
(4)
Robert L.
Amazing Brunch. Long wait.
(4)
Rahul J.
Great breakfast / brunch option on the weekends. Great food, outdoor seating and good service. I had the Turkish eggs and they were great.
(5)
Sophie A.
Whenever I eat at Zola, I feel like something's missing. I've concluded that what's missing here is good service. The decor is great (love the exposed brick), the food is consistently good (although I wish it would change the menu more often), but the servers always seem incredibly aloof. Not sure if there's a management issue with Zola, but that would provide a possible explanation. If the service was better, I'd come here far more often.
(3)
laura g.
When I only had time to eat at two restaurants on a recent A2 visit, this was one.
(5)
Benjamin S.
I just dont see what the big draw to this place is. EXTREMELY overpriced, sub par food, poor service. Are people really willing to pay this much just for the atmosphere? I have tried this place probably half a doezen times and have been more and more dissapointed with each visit. The omlets are absolutely horrible and the standard "bacon & eggs" dish is nothing to celebrate and is close to $10. WIth all the breakfast options in AA, I fail to see how this place stays in business.
(2)
Hugo S.
On my first visit to Ann Arbor, I showed up early on a Saturday morning after a bizarre red eye flight from LAX to Detroit Metro; unslept and unshowered, we were nonetheless welcomed to a glorious breakfast by the servers at Cafe Zola. A filling breakfast with wonderful coffee -- strong enough to get us through the rest of the day on NO sleep.
(5)
Edward V.
This review is for the weekday breakfast service. My favorite is either the Turkish Brunch (with a big basket of pastries) or the Turkish Eggs (baked with spinach and feta). Delicious, both of them. This is the place downtown that you are most likely to see people having a power breakfast, and one of the few places you'll see people before 8am wearing suits and ties.
(4)
Jan S.
This place is really great, the atmosphere, the food, the service. Definitely recommend! The only con was how close together all the tables are, but I guess it is a trade off.
(4)
the actual s.
love it love it love it! i have been here twice. both times everything was excellent. the staff is friendly and fast. the first time i went i got a bagel and eggs with asparagus. yum. the bagel was wonderful. they have a great selection of tea and the coffee is good. the second time i must say i went a little over board on the mimosas. i rang up a pretty big check because of it but it was sooo worth it. i got a crape with egg, Havarti ham and i added bacon. it was great. i have not had the pleasure of getting any dinner items yet cause everytime i have been there it was for breakfast. its a little expensive for a breakfast but its worth it. just go!!! please try it. i love it and im sure you will too.
(5)
Cathy H.
Zola is located on one of the off shoot streets from Main, and it is a very popular brunch place. I am amazed this is an Ann Arbor restaurant. When I enter Zola, I think I am in California because the eggs are as fresh as those delivered straight from Petaluma. Zola serves up the best omelets with the freshest ingredients and herbs. The best part of breakfast is topping it off with wickedly strong Turkish coffee.
cafe zola sure has grown up. i guess i have too since my first visit as a humble 2nd year having coffee with a professor. same brick walls and nice sunshine, but the vibe and offerings are much more sophisticated. back in those days cafe zola was more of a coffee shop cafe with food. these days zola is a restaurant with coffee. i have been for brunch here twice and both times really liked it. the first time i had a bloody mary, coffee, and an omelette with goat cheese and asparagus. it was a lovely meal and my two girlfriends and i leisurely chatted our way through drinks, food, and coffee all of which were very good. my most recent stop i had a late lunch. the grilled vegetable salad was YUM and the balsamic dressing was great. there could have been more veggies though--i think that i saw 2 tiny little beets cubes. i love roasted beets. the service for brunch with the girls was great--constant coffee refills (which is all that really matters at brunch). the service for my solo lunch not so good. no water refills and i asked twice for lemon for the agua and it never came =( overall though the next time i'm in ann arbor i know i'll be back.
(4)
Michael L.
Russian Caravan tea. omlettes. crepes. drinks, man, it was years ago, but so good in my mind. man, one place i really miss.
(5)
Adam H.
Best brunch in ann arbor! Great tea selection, and amazing fries.
(5)
B.J. S.
I had an amazing breakfast here while visiting from out-of-town. The service was excellent and the food was fantastic. I'm here in Ann Arbor for a few days and I'll definitely go back at least one more time.
(5)
Marie H.
Cafe Zola is overpriced, but worth it for brunch as well as cocktails. The first time I ever went I got the mushroom crepe which was huge but had very odd tasting sauce that was an unappealing shade of grey. It kept me away for a long time until I tried the Turkish eggs; 2 baked eggs with spinach, a huge slab of feta cheese and some cucumbers, tomatoes, and assorted olives. The waffles, pancakes, and omlettes all look good, but I always get the Turkish eggs now because they are awesome and worth the price. The dinner menu looks overpriced and uninspired to me, but the cocktails there are fantastic, namely because not only do they have Hendrick's gin, but they aren't afraid to use a little Campari from time to time. I hate bitters, but I respect a place that will serve the classics, none of that goofy blue curaco here my friends! Be warned however that the coffee is spiked with either meth or crack, more than one cup will surely cause heart palpitations and some apraxias. It took hours for me to come down after having two cups of coffee, which would normally not make a dent.
(4)
Sarah C.
this is my absolute favorite place to get brunch. the wait is often long on the weekends, esp sunday, but i feel it's well worth it. the omelets, crepes, and waffles are so yummy. they have a good seletion of tea too! i loved this place so much for brunch i was wary to go there later in the day. i went once for lunch and was not impressed. since then, i have gone back for salads/appetizers and drinks. their drinks are so good! be sure to try the pimm's cup and they make a mean mojito!
(5)
Joanna C.
This place has great ambiance and fabulous mojitos. The dinner menu is not cheap, but the lamb chops are worth it. I did happen to notice that all the wait staff are ridiculously gorgeous women, not that I swing that way, but if you are looking for some eye candy to accompany the good food, I thought I'd throw that in there. Brunch is what they are known for, but honestly, I don't think it's anything special. And contrary to what others think, I don't love the crepes there. By the time it gets to your table, it's already cold and somewhat bland. But all in all, if you are looking for a great dinner place and want to try somewhere new, check out Zola.
(4)
Nupur L.
Very nice coffee drinks, crepes and omelettes. I also love the french fries with their in-house ketchup and aioli. You can take or leave the waffles. The atmosphere is both hip and pleasant. My only negative experience here was when I ordered Turkish coffee with the Turkish delight and they told me after I had ordered that they ran out of Turkish delight-and still charged me the same amount. Lame.
(4)
Alex E.
I've decided I need to start normalizing by Ann Arbor. Cafe Zola's food is perfectly acceptable, as opposed to my previous rating of 2 stars. Nothing (to me) really stands out as super amazing, but everything was cooked just fine and none of the sauces detracted from their dish (as it should). Yes, it's pricey, but there's a slew of other restaurants on Main/Liberty/Washington that are just as pricey and not as good. I haven't been to brunch, so I can't speak to that.
(3)
Amy D.
Ann Arbor hosts a plethora of weekend brunch spots, and according to fellow Yelpers, Cafe Zola is the place to partake in this end of the week reward. We dined here on the Easter wknd, and we were lucky enough to be seated immediately. We opted out of getting a drink, but i was very impressed with their selection of beverages, alcoholic or non. I chose the Strawberry Banana crepe with freshly sliced strawberries, served with Michigan maple syrup and crème Chantilly. Since i do not like bananas, our server was kind enough to make the crepe exclusively with strawberries at no extra charge. Being from Canada, i am biased to our maple syrup, but there is something about Michigan Maple, it is delicious, i came home from this trip with two bottles in tow. My crepe was tender, and the Chantilly was a nice welcome to the standard whipped cream. My only complaint was the disbursement of the strawberries, they were all in the middle and none around the border. I simply opened up the crepe and moved the fruit around to ensure a strawberry in each bite. My sis had the Strawberry-Banana Delight waffle with fresh strawberries, bananas, crème Chantilly and Michigan maple syrup. I love how they make their waffles with Greek yogurt, it was original and it added a slight tanginess to the waffle. Overall it was slightly crisp, and was topped with the freshest fruit, and real Maple syrup. Overall, when you come to Zola's you can expect a tasty well executed meal using really fresh ingredients. I cannot wait to come here next year and try their Turkish breakfast.
(3)
claudia l.
Yes, the food is great and our waiter was wonderful but do not take you elderly mother there on Mother's Day. I made a reservation weeks ahead of time but we still waited over 30 minutes to be seated. The worst part was my poor mother was smashed against a very crowded bar and banged about by people sitting at the bar. I asked the people at the desk to find a place for my mother to sit several times . . . .all ignored. Great food . . must be a friend of the owner to be seated quickly.
(2)
Javier G.
Had the french toast. Nice portions, tasted pretty good, but it was pretty pricy ($12??). Angelo's has comparable if not better french toast for a few bucks less.
(3)
n. g.
Brunch/lunch is delicious. The omelettes, smoothies and sandwiches are all excellent. Most importantly, the menu is huge! Dinner is less impressive. Everything looks so good when it is described on the menu, but much of the food is bland or just a little off. The mushroom pasta is bland and the lemon sauce on the lemon tagliatelle tastes like lemon yogurt (and not in a good way). There are some gems, though - the fries are terrific, as is the bread and the salmon burger. Worth a try, I think, but not worth coming back to very often.
(3)
star l.
Funny to see this restaurant categorized in Turkish--after an Saturday evening meal I don't recall many turkish things on the menu! However, what was offered was like dreaming of one flavour to another. They lean slightly heavier on the fish options than meat, but if your interest is flavour, the menu is literally one of those experiences that makes it tough to choose but plan to come back.
(4)
Francis U.
Very good breakfast/brunch and crepes. Highly recommended for breakfast. I've been there twice now and had crepes both times. Also had the farmhouse and mexican omelet (my dining partner and I would share). Mexican omelet was was very good, but you gotta like Chorizo. Farmhouse was so-so -- too many vegetables. But you can't go wrong with crepes.
(4)
Jessica E.
A friend commented this morning, "There are places in Ann Arbor that are good brunch fare, for Ann Arbor. But Zola is good brunch fare, period." As a frequent brunch-goer in America's brunch capital (New York, no?), I have to heartily agree. From the slow but attentive service to the innovative menu (forget about everything being drenched in Hollandaise, because that's not how Zola rolls), I couldn't imagine a better spot on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Yes, the prices are a bit high, and sometimes there's a wait, but ten times out of ten, I think it's worth it. This particular morning, we enjoyed an outdoor table and started with coffee and cocktails. My mimosa was strongly spiked and fresh. Foodstuffs ordered included the Frittata Zola, an open omelette with soft goat cheese and caramelized onions and a side of red-skinned potatoes with rosemary, as well as the the Turkish brunch, a huge offering of vegetables, Havarti cheese, and a basket of breads and muffins. We ordered a banana and Nutella crepe for the table, as well, which came with the most rich ice cream on top. Everything was fresh, delicious, and served in generous quantities. We took a fair amount of food home with us. Look, there are plenty of brunch options in Ann Arbor. But if you're looking for a little foodie escapism, go to Zola.
(5)
Andrew L.
I decided to eat here after reading all of the great reviews. When we arrived it was crowded, but that's usually a good sign. The food was only ok. I had the crepes and they were mediocre at best. I don't really understand why people are always so impressed with crepes, they're not that hard to make so they should always be great. I would visit again and try the waffles (they looked really, at least the lady in the table next to us was thoroughly enjoying her's). Staff was fast and friendly.
(3)
Sara G.
My Zola love mainly spins on the "brunch" axis, but I have enjoyed a dinner there lately, so let me divide this review into two parts. 1. **Brunch** The coffee is always dark and strong. The frittatas and omelettes bursting, the crepes perfect (at least mine always seem to be), the potatoes crisp and herbaceous. I never leave this place hungry. In fact, you could share a dish and still come away stuffed to the gills. One of my favorite things to do in warm weather Ann Arbor is to enjoy a right Zola brunch outside with friends. Keep the coffee pouring! 2. **Dinner** Honestly, first time I had dinner here I was less than impressed with my three "jumbo" scallops and bowl full of artfully mixed baby greens. However, this was after Zola first began serving dinner. I came here a few weeks ago with a large group and it was pretty marvelous. My meat was rare (yes I asked for it like that) and the fries coated with lots of parmesan. Next time I go I may order the paper-wrapped fish, which looked awesome and not too well done. You have to enjoy eating fish off the bone, otherwise don't bother. They have nice mixed drink offerings and a good wine menu. Excellent espresso martini! Not sure most people know that Zola was at first a cafe' that offered lunch and brunch items before they expanded into dinners. In the Zola brunch vs. dinner deathmatch, brunch is the winna! ONE IMPORTANT THING: if you make a reservation, make sure that you confirm it before showing up to the restaurant, and get the name of the server you confirmed with. There's a tendency to be a tad unorganized when it comes to reservations.
(4)
Andrea M.
BEST BRUNCH IN ANN ARBOR...can I get a "wOOt wOOt"... I have to say, and I really do not mean to seem cliche, (no, I will not break into song) that Cafe Zola has the best brunch in town. Order the Turkish brunch and you will never be disappointed; that IS their specialty. That brunch is my sweet escape. It's almost like a mini-spa moment in a brunch. Add a mimosa to drink and that tops it off. THE CHEAP SEATS I had to give Zola 4 stars due to the somewhat crowded & very busy atmosphere and the mistakes that seem to happen on our orders when we go there. Certainly, any mistakes are minor and get fixed, but it seems to be a theme. Worst thing that ever happened was when we were sat behind the curtain thing, next to the bar, when you walk in the door. Horrible! There should not be seating there, it's wretched. I will never sit there again and I know how much it messes up a restaurant to ask for another seat, but that's their own fault. Note to Zola, get rid of those "cheap seats" and extend the bar around the corner instead. Or, just stick to 1 more widow table there. SNOOTY GATEKEEPERS BE DAMNED Ignore any icy hostesses, as most of them are snooty, but you get the occasional nice one. Who cares, she is just giving you a seat, the end. Ignore her snoot and move on. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE They have an extensive brunch and breakfast menu that will please just about everyone, so don't be shy that it seems to be known for Turkish brunch. They've got regular omlettes and other things to please. I am just biased since I loooooove the Turkish brunch. AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE I think Zola is best a spur-of-the-moment choice. If you drive or walk by and see it has a short lull in the amount of people, run in then. I know, it sounds crazy, but that will avoid you missing out on a great brunch. Go on a whim at an odd time and you'll enjoy it more. Go for the latest brunch you can do on a weekday (if you can) and enjoy it instead of hating it for the crowds. OVERALL Turkish brunch + mimosa = very happy. :)
(4)
angela p.
If this review were solely about the vibe, I would give it one star. This place represents nearly everything I despise about Ann Arbor: semi-rude waitstaff; yuppie/professor-heavy clientele; high prices; pretentiousness dripping from the very brick of the walls. HOWEVER. The crepes are damn good. The smoothies are yum. They know how to cook an egg. The coffee makes me forgive them every time. Sigh. I'm such a fucking pushover.
(3)
Lily P.
Cafe Zola is my favorite restaurant on campus! It has a great breakfast selection which is pricey relative to broken egg, angelos, and etc but the portions are huge and you probably won't be able to finish the omelet by yourself. Ive had the Farmhouse Omelette a few times.. (ham and Vermont cheddar with sauted onions, green & red peppers, tomatoes and garlic.) The chopped up potatoes and sides that come with breakfast are amazing and distracted me enough that I didn't finish my breakfast. I'm a egg, waffle, omelette person but they also have sandwiches for adults and KIDS on the menu for breakfast. I'm not sure if I ever will get one since the breakfast is so good and they give you so much there is no room for more food. They have the crepes they have for dinner as dessert but also have some other breakfast ones. I could careless to have a salad for breakfast no matter how amazing they look...eggs are meant to be eaten in the morning and the amazing rabbit diet food is for later on. With your food you can get different types of teas, coffes, fresh juices (orange and carrot), yummy smoothies!, french sodas Only issue with breakfast is that its a popular place and you might need to wait and don't go with a big group since you never will get seated anytime soon. For dinner they have a good wine selection and I love getting tuna there. The tuna burger also is a pretty good choice if you have a younger party there since it comes with thin fries and is less expensive. The ketchup is great and you def need to try it. The drink menu and bar is good with fast service. Appeitizers are unlike other mainstreet restuarants where there is basically no food, they def tell you what everyone is, gives you recommendations and then bring out more food then you expected. Ive had the mussels (good by any means even though the place isn't known for seafood unlike real seafood co and the commons), bruschetta is standard, and note to self to try more food. For the other meals make sure you ask about what exactly they are serving since one of my friends ordered a meal that sounded like there was tomatoes in it..but it came out with some meat in the middle of an entire tomato dish. I've had the whole fish there a few times and its always cooked pretty well. The steak is standard better than pac rim..not as good at chophouse...not a big fan of the chicken (entire chicken) dish. Ahi Tuna is good here..its not remarkable but good portion, all the fish here are cooked the way you should be eating the fish, sugar snap peas done in a lovely manner and are not mushy by any means. They always have some special going on so we never order often from the menu for the dinner suggestions unless I'm going for a burger or Filet Mignon (with damn good mushrooms). The crepes are huge and you definitely want to share with someone while the rest of the desserts are basically normal portions. The coffee drinks are great and a wonderful way to end your meal. The dessert drinks may look girly but it makes grown men suck up the judging by unknown foodies and order them anyways. They are pretty good with their coffee art too.
(4)
Michelle C.
Great restaurant, a must! I went here for my first date and went back again after our 1-year anniversary. The food, ambiance, service, and menu is alllll wonderful! I have been here twice for dinner and the dishes we had are amazing and of top quality. My favorite thing about Cafe Zola is the unique twist they put on dishes that you do not see too much at other conservative restaurants in Michigan. From the capers in the bread spread (no plain butter here!) to the coconut-cilantro rice, it is all neat to taste and experience. I would recommend the Ahi Tuna and the Chimichurri Tango. They are delicious to say the least. I also tried a Salmon-Stuffed Ravioli which wasn't that great, there are definitely better alternatives. A must-try! I plan on trying this place out for breakfast/brunch soon
(5)
Kate B.
'Zola is the place to go for brunch in Ann Arbor. It's a rather loud, boisterous interior (so if you're hard-of-hearing it can be trying) but the service is good and the breakfast/brunch food is a nice treat. I've had most of their omlettes (the southwest is delish...get it with Chorizo and spoon on a bit of sourcream...yum), sandwiches, and crepes over the years since they've opened, and never had a bad meal (see caveat at end of brunch review). I occasionally get the Turkish Brunch special: plate of grape-leaves, cheeses, olives, tomato, cucumber, and a basket of breads, sweet roll with butter and preserves (also comes with coffee or tea.) It's fun to make wee sandwiches on buttered bread using the tomato, cukes, and cheeses. Moms and Auntys love being taken to Zola...or so I hear :O) Caveat: I've dined at Zola for dinner 3 times...each time it was quite inedible, the pastas were particularly vile (esp. the wild mushroom pasta): sticky/heavy sauces, overdone pasta, salty and bland at the same time. lambchops were overdone, also tasted mentholated due to too much mint. The appetizers (antipasto plate especially) and drinks were good, but the entrees were blah + expensive.
(4)
Melody B.
I rarely eat out in Ann Arbor, and I'm glad I got to try Cafe Zola. The high point is the food. Interesting menu, with a lot of delicious combinations and ideas. I ordered Heidi's Breakfast, which was a glorified bagel sandwich with eggs, shredded sweet potatoes, chives, asparagus, cheese and more. It was extremely tasty. The atmosphere is nice, kind of bustling, and crowded but not uncomfortable. The food and speciality beverages are expensive. I'm not sure where they get their ingredients, but for what they charge I expect that they are local and fresh as hell. I'm tempted to say it's overpriced. The service was on the slow side and the servers were kind of aloof.
(4)
Liz L.
I just had brunch at Cafe Zola for the first time this morning. It was delicious! Very busy in the restaurant and it can get quite crowded, but once we were seated we had excellent service and the food was phenomenal. The ingredients are fresh and it was great to have breakfast that wasn't overly greasy. It's a little more expensive than typical breakfast/brunch, but the portion sizes are huge and it's definitely worth the extra couple bucks.
(4)
Rugen R.
The food here was AMAZING. Like other places, be prepared for a long wait if you don't go there early enough.
(5)
Heather G.
25 Things I Love About Cafe Zola's Brunch* and One Thing I don't: 25. Killer bloody marys 24. The ever-changing decor 23. Multiple coffee roasts to choose from, all delicious 22. Most excellent people watching opportunities 21. The lovely lox platter, with a bagel, capers, veggies, cream cheese etc. 20. They know the difference between an omelet and a frittata 19. You can order coffee brewed in a French press 18. Real butter. 17. The rosemary roasted redskins are always perfectly done and delicious, and always included with my omelet. 16. F-ing ICE CREAM on a f-ing WAFFLE for BREAKFAST!! 15. They appreciate the under appreciated herb tarragon 14..They don't have Lipton tea. 13. Goat Cheese + Challah Croutons + Sweet Potatoes + Caramelized Onions = Party in My Mouth aka... Frittata Zola 12. They use buckwheat batter to make their savory crepes 11. It's really not *that* expensive... 10. IMHO, it's the only place in A2 to get a decent crepe. 9. They have their brunch menu until 4:00 pm in case you get a late start 8. Pretty food 7. They serve THE champignon crepe, stuffed with mushrooms, topped with a savory mushroom sauce... I can hope that I will be able to replicate in my lifetime. Three French cookbooks later, file under F for "fail" but I digress. 6. The similarly situated Omelet Duxelles. 5. Michigan. Maple. Syrup. 4. Challah Toast. Holla! Get it? Challah? Holla? Sorry. 3. Not a sign of Redi-Whip in the whole joint 2. Booze with your Brunch...aka the only way to have a proper brunch. 1. It is perfect place to spend a weekday morning when you are playing hooky and want to enjoy a leisurely and delicious breakfast. Trust me. Not that I've ever done it. 0. Everyone else loves it too, so there's always a wait on the weekend and it is super crowded and loud. *This is a brunch/breakfast review. My love for Cafe Zola does not extend to their dinner menu, which is only 3.5 to 4 stars in my book.
(5)
Dominic L.
Had brunch there last week... Food was great and atmoshere is very chill... expect a line on sunday... i had the crepes... they are great but not exactly filling for the hungry ones... didnt try the cocktails but they look interesting... wouldnt mind coming here every sunday if i live in ann arbor
(4)
NJ C.
an overly crowded experience that was overpriced. If you want to have a hearty, relaxing brunch and you are a kind of person that can get annoyed by some pretentious hype, this is not the place you want to go. However nice it might seem from the outside.
(3)
Emma K.
My breakfast home away from home. Crepes of any kind are never a bad idea here...especially the champignon. Turkish eggs or Turkish breakfast are amazing and I would pretty much steal an old ladies purse for one of those damn mochas.....mmmmm.
(5)
Alison L.
Cafe Zola is one of the best and most consistent restaurants in Ann Arbor. If I could afford it, I would host a mimosa brunch here for everyone I know each and every Sunday, and then life itself as we know it would surely appear to be as fulfilling and enjoyable as those delicious little fruit filled crepes. Ooh la la, c'est marveilleux!
(4)
Lydia S.
There are many reviews here for Cafe Zola's breakfast, but don't hesitate to come for evening cocktails. I am very impressed with Cafe Zola's variety of classic cocktails. The Sidecar, Sazerac, Martini, Negroni, Pimm's Cup, Manhattan. And they are made well. Came for dinner on a date with my then-new relationship, saw the price, and my eyes popped out of my head. I did not want my date to think I was high maintenance by ordering a pricey dish, so I stuck with a salad. It was not terribly filling, but I had a few bites of his fish dish (can't remember what we ordered, exactly), and my salad + cocktail tided me over. Great atmosphere, as well. Mood-lit and the dark wood make for a very romantic atmosphere, and on a busy night, the place is booming with laughter and clinking glasses. I'll definitely be going again! And, if you want to fit in, look nice. I abide by the mantra, "I'd rather be over-dressed than under-dressed," and people tend to look nice, here.
(4)
Grace S.
Wonderful Brunch Place in the area! On every sunday, the place is packed with people. It gives you the kind of vibe that you are looking for in a Sunday morning so that you can start the day early! (not staying in bed until 2-ish as what I usually do) I went there twice, one on the Vday with my gal frds, one with my frd visiting Ann Arbor. I had a good time in both occasions. Food was really good and they made the food feel a little bit less oily than what they really were. I don't know how they do that but I don't feel guilty finishing the whole breakfast dish. Probably it's because it doesn't have a large portion as what Angelo's has to offer. Anyway, good for group hangouts.
(4)
Katie M.
This breakfast was hands down the best I've ever had in my life. AMAZING flavors for pancakes and omelets. This place is so good I feel like simple food like pancakes and eggs just doesn't do it justice. Really if you're in Ann Arbor this HAS to be one of your stops.
(5)
Monaco C.
Expensive. Food was alright. i ordered eggs benedict and they brought out over easy fried eggs (intentionally). So, cant say that i got what i paid for. Great atmosphere tho.
(3)
Molly H.
I feel it should be noted that you can get a 2 egg omelet instead of the massive 3 egg variety and thereby achieve a perfectly reasonable breakfast quantity. Took my family here recently and they were incredibly impressed. Thanks Zola!
(4)
Lara S.
I do love going here, but I have to keep my rating at 3 stars because if they had any competition in Ann Arbor, I wouldn't go as much. It has a nice urban vibe inside with exposed brick and an often lively atmosphere. The service ranges from very friendly to being ignored. On weekend mornings for brunch there is often a wait and the wait staff rush you from your table. One time, they even took away our waters before the check had come back for us to sign. I understand wanting to turn a table, but come on. The food is good- in my opinion brunch and lunch are better than dinner. My favorites are the Autumn Omelet and the Turkish Eggs. Very creative and always very tasty.
(3)
Theresa U.
Came here one wintery day to meet up with Lisa N. for lunch! They could have had a larger winter rug by the front door. It was awfuly slippery! Everyone tracking snow in. But besides that. About the food! I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with saffron mayo. The chicken was very moist and flavorful! I'd order it again. The bread was a little touch to chew. I think the roof of my mouth bled a little. Eh. oh well. Lisa N. ordered Zola crepe. Which looked good. And fried. Yum! I LOVE the dipping sauces! She also oredered a waffle and grilled cheese. We ended our 'light' (haha! yeah- right) lunch with their lemon poppyseed cake. That was SOOO good. Just like moms! I'm not quite sure if they had ordered it from Zingerman's. I'll have to ask next time I go. 4 stars...
(4)
Theresa T.
I have a good friend from Brooklyn who loves to come to Cafe Zola when she's in town. So I tend to drop by Zola a few times a year. I think that this place is extremely overpriced and the snooty waitstaff is down right silly. Yes, the food is fantastic but it's not worth the wait, the obnoxiously apathetic staff, nor the expensive coffee that's well -- not *that* great.
(2)
Scott D.
Holy hell, this place is awesome. The teas, crepes and omelettes are as good as they get. Brunch is worth the usually short wait. No matter what you get, you will love it. I promise.
(5)
Ayesha S.
I ended up back here the other day with my laptop in tow. I was told that the only real way to plug in was to sit at the bar (fine by me) and have the servers would have to plug me in behind the bar (not really fine by me- awkward). They were kind enough to do so, but I kind of figured that Cafe Zola is not the type of place to go and get work done. For some reason, this disappointmented me as I think it totally has that vibe- at least during the day. I decided to get the chicken sandwich rather than my usual crepe. Totally not a good idea! The sandwich bread was IMPOSSIBLE to cut through! I ended up eating the chicken breast on its own and munching on the bread as needed. I'm not sure how anyone could eat that thing! I also really dislike bread that makes my gums bleed, but that is just me. I'd still go back to Zola, but I'd stick to the breakfast entrees and not think about flying solo to get work done. Sad face, Zola.
(3)
Clayton H.
Excellent brunch food. I am a student, so this place can't be frequented too often due to its absurdly priced cuisine. But man, it is wonderful. Absolutely delicious and fresh all the way around. And that is from a guy who has eaten at every breakfast joint in Ann Arbor.
(5)
judy h.
Came here for dinner... great ambience (ie can't really see what i am eating without taking a picture of it.) had a delicious asparagus salad with the bread pudding with dark chocolate, vanilla ice-cream, and kumquat marmalade. The service was excellent too!
(4)
Clarence C.
Cafe Zola serves great food, a little on the pricey side, but worth the extra dollars for what you get. Kobe burger with fries was delicious. Good meat and grilled perfectly. I also loved the stilton salad and the crab cakes. They came with a bread basket and herb butter that made me very happy--delicious whole grain bread and another bread with sesame seeds in the crust. The Salmon burger did not agree with me, and this was a small personal tragedy, because I love fish and was looking forward to it. I should have read the menu more closely--and then had them hold the ginger. I don't like the mouth-burning taste of raw ginger. It ruined this dish for me. I like how they take care of all the little details at Cafe Zola. The presentation is above par for Ann Arbor. And most dishes incorporate an uncannny combination of flavors and textures that can't be accidental. The dinner menu is short and a little pricey. Only about 15 options for the main course, although there are daily specials. The prices are slightly higher than other downtown restaurants, despite the casual decor. Expect to pay $20 to $30 per plate for dinnner, although you can go cheaper with the hamburger or pasta. (I'm being tough because I love you, Cafe Zola. Just make sure you stay on my list of favorites.)
(4)
Valentina M.
Very Good Food But expensive !! Great mocha's and yummy sandwiches !! Would Recommend !!
(4)
Alayna H.
Yummy yummy in my tummy. Yes, Cafe Zola is a slightly expensive, but the food is well worth the price. I'm generally not one to purchase drinks at restaurants since more often than not they're very overpriced, so I have no qualms there. Well, non-alcohlic drinks that is...anyhow, I have been to Zola a few times and each time myself and my lunch counterparts were very pleasantly surprised. I generally go with the crepes and have never been disappointed. In the summer I love to sit outside, although one particular day it was quite windy and the charm was slightly diminished, but we still enjoyed it. Overall, not the type of place I'd frequent since I'm a cheap-o, but a great place to go for some delicious brunch when you feel like treating yourself.
(4)
Jay R.
This review is for brunch at 10am on a weekday morning in August, so I can't offer any views on crowding or table turnover issues. While it was a bit on the pricey side, it was worth every penny for the quality and attention to detail. The coffee was excellent (some kind of Sumatran French roast) and constantly replenished, as was the water. The breads were from Zingerman's and fresh and good. I had an Istanbul omelette - eggplant, cheese (I substituted havarti for whatever cheese they normally used) and some other vegetables that I can't recall, and it was superb. My wife loved her spinach omelette and my son's waffles were among the best I had anywhere. Add in a cool vibe and it's a great brunch place.
(5)
S M.
I've eaten here a few times and have generally had pretty positive experiences here. On average, it's probably 3.5 stars. Today was a bit of an exception and hopefully not a harbinger of things to come in terms of future dining experiences. The service was a bit uncoordinated -- I had to ask for ketchup, a pepper shaker (we had 2 salt shakers), more water, a different type of toast (after not being asked this initially) -- and left the restaurant wishing the server had refilled my glass one final time. The worst affront was that my seemingly lovely Omelette Zola (with carmelized onions, goat cheese, and sweet potato chunks) was riddled with undercooked sweet potato pieces. I was only able to find a few pieces that were somewhat amenable to chewing. The side of potatoes, on the other hand, were somewhat overcooked and sort of lackluster. All in all, I do like this place typically, but today seemed to be off. Do I find their food phenomenal? Not really, especially for the price. But for Ann Arbor, I suppose it's pretty decent.
(3)
Christine E.
I wasn't going to write a review because it seems that people have mostly said what I hate about this place. I would like to say that the service is HORRIBLE! I've been here four times. Once, we were completely ignored for fifteen minutes until we finally left without ordering. Once the host looked down his nose at us as if to say "what do you think your doing here?" and informed us that the table outside was for some of their "regulars" and that we would have to sit inside. Another time we sat at the bar and had drinks, the bartender was a delightful change to the awful experiences I've had here, but it was too little too late. I will not be returning.
(1)
Dharma A.
I think Zola has a great dinner menu, though they are known for breakfast. Many interesting dishes that meld styles from around the world. Really like the Shrimp Batu! They also serve an appetizer with Tracklement's smoked salmon (the best and a local favorite)! I worked there for several months before starting graduate school, so I know the menu pretty well. They have a great wine selection and wonderful cocktails. Be prepared to pay top dollar for them though! The interior is attractive--I like the exposed brick look, though sound tends to bounce off the walls making it a bit echoey when there is a crowd.
(4)
Jen S.
Came here for brunch and almost orgasmed over the latte! I am a coffee addict so all versions of coffee are really important to me. It was seriously the best latte I've had since Paris! It was so good. The 3 stars are really just for the latte. Brunch was eh to me -- but I think next time I'll have to try something else because everyone else on here has given it really great reviews. Also, I thought the food was overpriced.
(3)
Anthony V.
My wife and I love this place! Creative dishes with a Mediterranean flare. I've never had a bad meal or experience here. It's a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for.
(5)
Emma L.
Not understanding the hype about this place. Yes the atmosphere was fun, but everything else was mediocre. I had to practically jump up and down to get the hostess to even look up at me (She didn't even respond when I said "Hi"). Our server was friendly, but the food was very overpriced. I got the crab cake benedict, which ended up being a crab cake on top of half of an english muffin, and then a fried egg on top of the other half. There was supposedly some sort of lemon sauce on top, which I couldn't taste. For $16 this should at least come with potatoes or another side. I didn't think it was anything special and was still hungry when we left. The drinks we had were great, but again slightly overpriced. Would not go back.
(2)
Annie A.
What a wonderful way to spend a morning. Cafe Zola started out by making crepes, so it's no surprise that they are delectable. I ordered a smoked salmon crepe which was incredibley flavorful, yet light enough for me to still feel energized for the day. The french press coffee didn't hurt either. Pets seem to be very welcome with outdoor seating and the servers even bring out little bowls of iced water for them! Parking may be a little bit of an obstacle, but it will be worth the walk if you have to go a few block to find a spot.
(4)
A H.
I really love their chimichurri hanger steak and the fries! I've also had the ravioli and the tuna, both equally good. Definitely get a martini, they give you the small shaker to refill your glass. Probably get around 2.5 martinis out of it. They had a lemon tart one weekend that was amazing, but we usually get the chambord cheesecake. Love sitting outside during the summer, great people watching. Not really a fan of the espresso though, it turns out rather syrupy.
(5)
CUNIT T.
Great creeps and brunch on the weekends!
(4)
Sara B.
I've had mixed experiences here at best. The service is sometimes spotty, especially when they get busy, and there is ALWAYS a wait on Weekends. I don't mean a 15 minute wait either, I mean a line around the block that totally isn't justified hour wait. The best experience I had here was when I got a waffle with fruit topping and a mimosa. Was it worth the 28 or so dollars? Not really, but it was very good. However, both of the crepes I've tried were lackluster, dry, and slight on the fillings. If there's no line and you can manage to get the right thing it's good, but if you have to wait and you get crepe, I would say it's not worth it.
(3)
Olivia P.
I don't come here often because there's often a line for weekend brunches, but today it was raining so there wasn't that much of a wait. Anyway, I decided to try something different this time. I had Zola's Crab Cake Benedict. A little pricey at $15.95 but I wanted to try it since I really enjoy crab cake benedicts. Unfortunately I was quite disappointed. Basically, it was 1 crab cake served on one half of an english muffin, and an egg on the other half of the muffin. I changed my egg from being done over easy to just plain egg whites. First off, I paid an extra $2.95 for changing a serving of one egg to egg whites. Way too pricey in my opinion (consider paying 1-2 dollars for changing a serving of 2 or 3 eggs to egg whites at other breakfast joints) and definitely would not have changed it if I knew I was going to pay that much. Next, the crab cake. While the dish came with only 1 crab cake, I must say that it was really packed with a lot of crab meat. There were too many chopped peppers and onions inside for my liking though. Paid $18.90 before tax and tip for my crab cake benedict. Don't think I'll get it again from Cafe Zola and would probably stick with something like the Champignon Crepe. If i want my fix of crab cake benedict, I'll probably head to Angelos. Better bang for for your buck ($9.99 for 2 crab cakes and 2 eggs) and more flavorful.
(3)
Jessica R.
Cafe Zola is expensive, but is always a great meal. I've had dinner here several times; their burgers are insanely good, and their general meals (half chicken, e.g.) are creative and filling. For brunch, the Turkish Breakfast blows my mind. The omelettes and milkshakes are also great. In the summer you can sit outside. The sun really beats down on you, though.
(4)
Khiang S.
Great restaurant for breakfast. You step in and light music is playing in the background. waitresses are dressed in their own fun way. That along made this place feels fun and energetic. I sat at the bar and service was quick. Good selection of breakfast items. Opted for a vegetarian omelette this am. Nice big portion. Had the Provençal omelette. Just a fun place to hangout.
(4)
Blair R.
Cafe Zola is an Ann Arbor staple and with good reason. I've only ever visited for brunch but the menu options are expansive and interesting. I've had omelets, the turkish eggs and the turkish brunch and haven't been disappointed. The food is substantial with fresh and tasty ingredients. I especially love that Cafe Zola loves feta almost as much of me. MMM! I can also probably eat the entire bread basket and be happy. The prices are high, especially for a sunday brunch. Also -- sometimes i want a place that is simple and classic -- Cafe Zola is not that.
(4)
Rina N.
This brunch spot is legit. I highly recommend the classic Belgian waffle as they use Greek yogurt in their batter which I think makes a world of a difference! (Crispy and moist!!) Salmon hash is my favorite so far, coffee is a little too expensive for fair trade (3.50) and bitter taste, but that's my personal opinion and coffee preference :)
(4)
Crystal M.
First time coming here, I thought this place would be good because of other reviews but I was definitely wrong. The server took too long to get my order and would disappear for a long time when I needed something. There was only a few people eating here at the time as well. My entree was very small. The raw tuna had no flavor. It was just plain with avocado. The sauce was all on the bottom. There was way too much, it overwhelmed everything else. I think it was just soy sauce or something of that sort. The two pieces of bread that came with it was hard and tasted like it had wasabi in it. I spent too much on this dish. It was not worth what I had to pay. Next time I come to Ann Arbor again, this is not on my list of restaurants to go to.
(2)
Tom R.
Stopped in on way home from Ann Arbor. I really like places like this, diverse menu, bar, coffee, and all done well. Perfect for brunch time.
(4)
Sami S.
Love this place! I like their brunch better than dinner but the service is great and they are really friendly.
(4)
Victoria S.
Whatever you do, do NOT go here on a Sunday. EVER. First, we were told our wait was 30-40 minutes when we arrived at 11. We waited over an hour because they accommodated a party of 18. Yes. EIGHTEEN. On an overcrowded post-Michigan Football Sunday morning. This party should have been forced to split up into smaller groups or find a new restaurant. Second, they RAN OUT OF COFFEE. HOW in the name of Columbia does a place known for it's brunch RUN OUT OF COFFEE ON A SUNDAY??!! We had 4 coffee drinkers at our table and from time to time our waitress would stop by with one of their small coffee urns which barely fill a single person's cup, let alone the four of us! Third, half of our food for our party was served tepid or ice cold, including a waffle and a crepe, both of which were sent back to the kitchen to be reheated or remade. The waffle, which had previously been covered in whipped cream, was MICROWAVED, turning it into a rubbery squishy mess. Thank goodness the manager comp'd that one, otherwise there would've been hell to pay. Fourth, and certainly not least, our party of six was squeezed around a table for four in the corner of the restaurant, and waited on by one of the worst servers I've encountered in Ann Arbor. Overall, this was the final nail in the coffin for me at Zola, and as much as I love the Turkish Brunch, I don't think I'll be going back again.
(1)
Emine S.
I'm Turkish. The owner of Zola is Turkish. If there is one thing Turks take very seriously is..... Oh! Surprise, surprise! Breakfast and Brunch. This restaurant is legit. From the breads, the butters, the coffees, the teas, the need to showcase Turkish pride as Turkish items are freckled throughout the menu. Now I must admit, I'm not not proud of it, I haven't tried anything but the Turkish Brunch and Turkish eggs (blame my father). But every time I had it I was whisked back to the Bospherus sitting in sunshine and admiring the gorgeous views Istanbul has to offer. That woman is serious about her restaurant and only quality items go in. It's a must try of Ann Arbor.
(5)
Alice C.
do you realize that there is a bagel on the menu that costs $17???? sure, it has a couple slices of smoked salmon on it, but so do thousands of other places, including some in very expensive cities like new york and san francisco, and NONE OF THEM COST SEVENTEEN DOLLARS. minus one star for that ridiculousness. minus another star for the pretentious attitudes of both zola and the staff. poor staff -- I hear they are poorly treated. anyhoo, 3 stars for the delicious food, excellent ambiance, local artwork on the walls, and for making crabcakes that I dream about.
(3)
Nicole L.
Zola definitely wins for the loveliest brunch in town. I've never had something that wasn't extraordinary, and they have some of the greatest omelets I've ever had. Pick a time without the rush (or even when you can sit outside) and it's perfection.
(5)
Ari Z.
Great food. Clean cooking. Always satisfied. A little pricey and expect to wait on the weekends.
(5)
Tina M.
I had one of the sweet crepes and it's not what I expected (too buttery), but that's probably partially on me for misreading the menu. My friend had the savory mushroom crepe and it was delicious! The seating outside is uncomfortably tight - you can't help but hear conversations from the tables on either side of yours. I don't live in Ann Arbor but will go back when I visit again. Huge menu!
(3)
Derek W.
Not a good experience. We made reservations for 7:45 on a Saturday night for five people. We all arrived on time. We waited 50 minutes past our reservation time to get seated. Every time a slightly larger party arrived they would seat them first even if they had a later reservation. One of those parties knew we had been waiting over half an hour and offered to buy us a drink when they got seated first, which is more than the management of the restaurant did for us. I would have much preferred that they had simply told us early on that they were not going to honor reservation than to keep us there by saying "just five more minutes" for the last 30 minutes of our wait. The hostess said "we will make it up to you" but no effort was made in that direction. My guess is that they take as many reservation as they can and don't care if they overbook. It made for a bad dining experience and made us so late we had to cancel our other plans. As to the food, I would say that the appetizers were pretty good (especially the stuffed peppers) and the salads were fresh and tasty. However the entrees were pretty pedestrian servings of expensive meat in butter and a bit tasteless for $30+ per plate.
(1)
Samantha G.
this is probably the nicest atmosphere/food combo I have found in Ann Arbor in the few weeks I've been here. Delicious cocktails started things off well, and a really nice variety of food options made my picky-eating parents very happy. We had a lamb kofte appetizer, carrot-ginger soup, and I had scallops on pasta in a refreshing lemon cream sauce. Our waitress was extremely attentive and I think she steered us all in the right direction in terms of what to order and how much. The restaurant is nicely decorated and there's a fair amount of space for groups - good for small-ish celebrations/occasions. My only complaint was that there were some kids running around and causing a ruckus that got to be a little disruptive, but that wasn't the restaurant's fault. Great place for an interesting and tasty meal!
(5)
Rebekah H.
$3.50 for coffee is absurd. This place used to have my two thumbs up everytime, but no one can charge $3.50 for mediocre lukewarm coffee and $13 for eggs and keep my business. Fyi, Zola, this is not new york. And even in new york, no one charges $3.50 for coffee, except Sarabeth's, but they shouldn't and neither should you.
(2)
Jennifer H.
A bit on the pricey side but the food is worth it! A go-to for breakfast when we can get away without kids. We often split an omelet & it's more than enough! Usually great service!
(5)
Erin G.
I love Cafe Zola. I've been here a bunch of times and have never had bad food. I have had not-so-great service, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Things like not having water refilled for about an hour, stuff like that. I love all of their omelets and that they have Zingerman's bread for toast, and their amazing (though pricey) coffee. On my birthday, they gave me a free banana Nutella crepe, and I could have died happy right then. One time, I was there for brunch with my boy, and the owner, Hediye, liked a song that was playing, so she got up on the bar and started dancing with her staff. That sealed the deal as one of my fave restaurants.
(4)
Mark B.
My favorite breakfast place in Ann Arbor. Good coffee, chai tea, and Russian Caravan tea. My kids love the PBJ smoothies. The Turkish eggs, smoked salmon omelet, the americana, smoked salmon on bagel, and Turkish brunch, are my favorites. I've enjoyed great, friendly service there for years but routinely arrive about 7 am. I'm must admit I do my best to avoid the out of town brunch crowd.
(5)
Mae S.
Zola is still one of my few favorites that I go back to as often as anywhere. The crepes, omelets, and salads are all really good.
(5)
maggie t.
Food was alright but "market price" for a glass of orange juice ended up being $6.50. Outrageous to charge that without any indication, either on the menu or from the waitress. And as for the waffle--thin and floppy. At 11 dollars, no thank you. NEVER returning here.
(1)
Christopher S.
Had a kind of vegetarian eggs benedict, was very good and fresh. Service was good as was the coffee.
(4)
Ellen P.
We stopped here for weekend brunch en route home from a family gathering in the area...we chose Cafe' Zola on the strength of some online recommendations. We very much enjoyed our food, even though the prices are on the spendy side -- we loved the sheer variety of menu items, especially the mix of French, Turkish and American dishes, and had a hard time choosing between the crepes, waffles, omelettes and other choices. (I finally chose one of the savory crepe dishes, which was very good.) We also liked the funky, exotic atmosphere. The coffee was exceptionally good, and this is coming from someone who normally likes a milder brew. The one thing that detracted from our dining experience was sheer lack of space -- the restaurant was completely full, with people waiting in line, and we also had to contend with a couple of Scary Yuppie Stroller Moms. (This wouldn't be my first dining choice for families with tiny children.) We'd love to come back at a slower time of day to try another menu and simply enjoy sitting there with our coffee.
(4)
Puneet S.
Favorite breakfast place in Ann Arbor.
(4)
Leang E.
We got up to have brunch here, and it was pretty good except for the fact that I've come to find that I'm not so much a breakfast person as of lately. I just usually have coffee in the morning and that doesn't leave room for much else. This seems to be a pretty popular spot. The place has a simple, Eastern contemporary theme to it, and it makes for a nice ambiance. I did have my cappuccino here, but it was kind of warm. I had the frittata here, and it was pretty good. I could only eat a small portion of it, and was already stuffed. I felt bad that I wasted so much food, but I wasn't hungry yet. The portions are large here, and the prices are average. Oh, and our waitress was pretty nice.
(4)
Katy B.
Zola, I love you for brunch. Potatoes, spectacular. Mimosas, delicious. Waffles and crepes and... everything else, yum! Service can be a bit lacking at peak brunching hours, but that's generally to be expected. Sitting outside with a mimosa at Cafe Zola is where I want to be at noon on Sundays in the summer.
(5)
Barbara C.
Whenever I visit Zola's, I wonder why I didn't return sooner, as they have such a unique menu, and their wait staff are always so personable. I just had their half pot, ginger ginseng herbal non-caffeinated fresh brew tea. Whew that's a lot of adjectives! Together with my Savory vegetarian swiss crepe, it was a complete and unique (and tasty) meal. My friend's salmon burger didn't look too bad either. I've never had a bad meal or poor service here. Although I usually love their dessert crepes, I passed on these today.
(4)
Brian G.
This place could be good, but their prices are just outrageous. I guess they can away with it because there is often a line of folks waiting, and there are such slim pickings in Ann Arbor. My home base is in Houston - they would be out of business in a minute in TX. So I had an omelette (the house special plus avocado - it was OK not great by any means), my wife had the basic PLAIN waffle (she left half of it because it was dry) plus a side of bacon. I had a simple coffee (NOT latte or cappucino), my wife had a decaf tea. Thats is all, nothing else, nada. Including the standard 15% tip - $49 my friends - YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!!! - in the midwest, in the middle of a deep recession $50 for an omelette and a plain waffle with bacon. WHAT!!!!????
(2)
Jeff B.
Not great, and certainly not worth the $95+ we spent. Food was fine but nothing very special or outstanding about the experience
(2)
Trevor M.
The brunch menu was really extensive and I usually hate huge menus but it was needed for what they offer. It is all really good food and recommend the crab cake eggs benedict, it is insanely good. I have eaten here in the evening before as well, and still talk about the octopus I had there
(4)
Alejandro B.
Great food and nice atmosphere. They prepare eggs in a thousand different ways. Had the Salmon Hash with Yukon Gold Potatoes and Horseradish sauce and two eggs. Really tasty! Definitely worth checking out (and enduring the wait for a table). You won't be disappointed.
I like the trend of this place... they try to use local and/or organic ingredients... I got the artichoke baked omelet and I wasn't really a fan (and they didn't serve fresh artichoke, it was from the jar)...baking the omelet made the eggs dry and it was more like a pie. My friends ordered the chicken sandwich, crepes and the All Americana, and they enjoyed it.
(3)
I G.
Well what can I say...for the price it's all hype. Food is ok. If you want to spend this kind of money I would suggest Zingermans Road House. I ordered the Kobe Burger and it was ok but didn't leave me saying, this was a $13.95 burger!! My wife ordered the Grilled Chicken sandwich which she thought was good. However we noticed some tables with baskets of bread. I asked a young gentleman If the bread comes with certain dishes and he replied "no it's for tables with four or more". Well we saw a table with three that had the bread. Also why only tables with four or more? With the prices of the meals you certainly should give complimentary bread baskets. Just to add Zingermans Road House will give you as much bread as you want!!
(2)
Maria M.
My best friend was in town and we decided to try Cafe Zola and it was great! We both really enjoyed our meal and the delicious coffee. The cafe itself is a little crowded, the servers had bumped into my chair a few times, but it does look very cute and trendy in there! We went there on a Sunday and got there at 9:30 and we were seated pretty quickly. When we left at around 10:45 it was PACKED and a very long wait! It is pretty pricey, especially for breakfast food, so I would probably only go back for special occasions, not many students can afford a $14 breakfast. Our server was very nice and made great recommendations. Overall it was a nice place to take a friend visiting from out of town :) Just get there early on weekends for breakfast!
(4)
Michael G.
Had a great post Michigan commencement brunch. All 7 of us thoroughly enjoyed our meal and, despite being ultra busy, our waitperson was friendly, helpful and patient (many in our party asked for modifications of a menu item. I ordered the frittata on the menu, with spinach added at the suggestion of our waitperson. It was outstanding and was served with perfectly browned red potatoes seasoned liberally with rosemary. I also tasted the red lentil soup which was thick and savory. I wish we has more opportunities to visit AA so we could head back to Cafe Zola.
(5)
Liz W.
Yes it was a bit spendier than some places and yep the service was none too speedy but seriously, I think it is good food and I am no yuppie. We needed to get out a bit, I wanted a nice place to take my mom, who can occasionally be picky. A ladies lunch/brunch if you will. One should take time to enjoy a decent day in Michigan. I warned her the service here was iffy according to some but we were not at peak hours (after lunch rush) and we had nothing but time on our hands. We decided why not... Our server was actually very charming and we liked the atmosphere. We split a smoked salmon omelette and a roasted vegetable salad. Both were made with quality ingredients and were delicious. I loved the turkish vinaigrette. I also loved sharing as it made deciding what to get oh so much easier... We both had pots of tea. I will give any restaurant that makes a nice pot of tea for me kudos. The oolong was perfectly brewed and heavenly. My mom seemed very happy with the darjeeling. We were both sad to be filled up by lunch, I think the blintz crepe was on both our minds...farmer's cheese and cherries. Yeah that would be a way to make a woman in my family happy. All in all a charming experience. I think it helped matters that they were not hugely busy and that we were not in a big rush or on any type of budget.
Excellent crepes, good, strong coffee, fair service -- tough to beat. We haven't tried the rest of the menu yet, but I have no reason to believe it is any less stellar. Probably the best brunch food we've had in A2, and among the best I've ever had. Even with the weekend crowds, we got a table in 20 min (no reservations) and were served promptly.
(5)
Bob G.
My daughter is a graduate student at University of Michigan. She recommended Cafe Zola for a family dinner. We made a 7 pm reservation and were very hungry after a day of touring the school for my younger daughter who is considering applying as an undergraduate at University of Michigan. The hostess offered us the table for 4 next to the door. It was a very cold area with the door constantly being opened by customers. It also is so close to the hostess that it is more or less part of the waiting area for customers waiting for a table. We asked to wait for the next table in the main part of the restaurant. The hostess rather snidely told my wife that the next table wouldn't be open for 1-1/2 hours. This certainly was a lie and a means to force us to take the table near the door. Despite our unhappiness, we tried the table. It became clear rather quickly that it wasn't going to work for us. We asked again and the hostess repeated her lie that there were no tables other than a table for 2 where she would stuff us in. The hostess became even ruder. I told my wife and kids to find another restaurant while I chatted with the manager. I waited 10 minutes for the manager, who apparently was serving tables. She never came to see me which left me in the waiting area grumbling to the other customers. I must say that it couldn't have been handled any worse. I left quite angry. I never write restaurant reviews on blogs. However, this terrible customer service deserves making an exception.
(1)
Ryan B.
Yes, this is the best brunch in A2! When first entering, I was stunned by the atmosphere. Bright light floods the dining room bringing the red out of brick walls and arches. Then I had their coffee which not only was actually fresh but was constantly refilled by waitstaff with cute little vials in hand. Then I enjoyed the best omelet I've ever had, the Frittata Zola. Not only have I never had anything like it, but I've never heard of anything like it. The portion was huge, came with a side of the best redskin potatoes I've ever tasted and also herb buttered whole grain toast. I was full the rest of the day. It seems the common complaint is the prices and the wait. I had no problem getting a table and thought the prices were well worth the quality of the food. If you're looking for a quick buttermilk pancake and standard cup of coffee, this is not your place. But if you're in for a classy cafe with zesty flavors, unique combinations and incomparable quality prepare yourself for Cafe Zola!
(5)
Jason C.
This place has some great food but it's very expensive!
(4)
Wade D.
How many wonderful things can I fit into a review. Crepes, omelets, french press coffee, blood orange mimosas... I think the short list would be negative comments. It's kinda pricey. But soooo worth it!
(5)
Eric B.
The closest thing to a big city brunch you'll get in ann arbor, and they do a solid job. If you're looking for a french press full of Blue mountain or Kona coffee with whatever omlet, crepe, pancakes or untraditional breakfast item (like turkish eggs), this is your place and you will not be dissapointed. The environment is upscale without being too pretentious, making it my favorite upscale restaurant in town. It is also my go to place for steak in Ann Arbor!
(5)
Aaron B.
This is really the kind of place I like, but this particular version is no good. They try REALLY HARD to make their food different and "special" but my experiences have been disappointing. I'm sure the yokels think it's something amazing and new and all the crap that Ann Arborittes say to make themselves feel good about living in that worthless piss-hole village, but it's mostly hype and little substance. Add on top of that the fact that the places is typically loud and uncomfortable, with sketchy service. Again, average for Ann Arbor, but there are better places of this kind in any real city that you'd go to...and the same kind of place with better food and a better atmosphere would be cheaper in a city too.
(2)
Kathy L.
I'm a sucker for both asparagus and sunny-side-up eggs with toast, so I ordered the special which included those things, even though it cost $11.39. I was shocked and dismayed when my waitress brought me a plate with ~5 stalks of asparagus underneath two eggs, and some slices of bread which were probably from a loaf that was $1 at Kroger. $11.39 + tax. There wasn't anything special about it. Some people are willing to pay that, I guess (there was quite a wait to get seated), but not I, when I have the Northside Grill right down the street. Actually, the special came with potatoes too, but my server forgot to bring them to me until I finally got a hold of her (when we were finished eating), and she didn't give us a discount (in fact, barely an apology).
(2)
C B.
This was my first visit to cafe zola and after looking at the menu while waiting I was very very excited. I wanted to sit all day and try most everything. The fact that there was such a long wait was also making me think I was in for the best food of my life. I wish it was! I had the farmhouse omelette-it was beautiful and there seemed to be enough filling. The ruiner-nothing was seasoned! It was bland egg wrapping olive oiled veggies, ham, and some cheese. I used ketchup to give it some flavor it needed and ate about half preferring to go for the bread basket w/ the wonderful strawberry preserves. The redskin potatoes were also just good-they were very olive oily that could of used a couple more minutes of cooking time. i did start with tomato bisque soup though and that blew my mind. so. so so good. that tipped the scales for sure. Why am i giving it 3 stars-i would totally go there again! if i do and it's the same experience i would most likely change my rating to a 2. but as of now the soup and bread along w/ experience is keeping cafe zola a positive memory!
(3)
Ms.Brie C.
First time at Cafe Zola. My crepe was excellent, just as expected. My companion's salad looked quite good but we were put off by added costs, $ for tomatoes, $ for cucumbers. Since when are salads treated like pizzas? The server was not particularly friendly when we inquired if the salad toppings cost extra. Also, the smoothies sounded appealing until I noticed they were ~$7 (I'll save my funds for an affordable one at Smoothie King, thank you very much). I'd consider returning, if I could afford it.
(3)
Max M.
While I can agree with many folks here about the quality of service (excellent) and the quality of the food (also excellent-GREAT brewed coffee), the reason for the 3 stars is because of the overwhelming amount of noise in the restaurant. It was really overwhelming to the point where it was difficult to hear the person sitting very close next to me. That was very distracting for me, and took away from the dining experience. We were also there with a 1 year old, who was completely over stimulated - so we spent a lot of time taking her for walks out side to not add her discomfort to the cacophony. Again, food excellent. We were there for Sunday Brunch - even with a reservation (which I am surprised they provide on a Sunday Brunch). I had an Americano Breakfast, my partner had an omelette of some sort. I had about the best cup of brewed coffee ever at a breakfast place - that was always filled, so the service was exceptional. It was a bit pricey - $12.00 for two eggs, tomatoes and some potatoes - and my exceptional but basic brewed coffee was $4.50 (wow!). We were also there with about 8 other people so it got unwieldy.
(3)
Ian P.
Me: What coffee do you have today? Waitress: Brazilian, Ethiopian, Kenyan... Me: Where in Ethiopia is it from? Waitress: Look of shear terror and confusion (thinks what kind of freak asks this question)...runs off to ask. Coffee: Absolutely amazing Ethiopian Harrar (waitress told me Harupa lol). Actually the coffee was the best coffee I've had in the last 6 months. So this place gets some mad props for that. I was there at brunch and also had a Belgian waffle made with buckwheat which was quite tasty. My hetero friend couldn't stop raving about how hot the waitress was. I definitely felt like they were rushing me out though and I hate that! I wasn't going to linger all day, but I did want some conversation time over my delicious coffee. All in all a pretty good experience.
(4)
Jessie S.
Wedding anniversary brunch! My husband and I decided to splurge a little bit and take ourselves out for a nice brunch to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. This was our first visit to Cafe Zola and we had read such great reviews of the place. We were given a great table in the front window. The staff was very friendly and attentive however I did not expect the menu to be so expensive. Holy crap! I ordered the champignon crepe. It was flavorful and light and covered my entire plate. The dish didn't disappoint with the amount of mushrooms in the porcini mushroom sauce. It's important to note when ordering the crepe that all you receive is the crepe, no fruit or other accompaniment. As a result, I only ate half of it as I got bored with eating so much of the same thing. Did I mention that it cost $11.95? My husband ordered the asparagus and goat cheese omelette. This dish cost $14.95 and consisted of 3 scrambled eggs overcooked in a pan then folded over grilled asparagus and goat cheese. It was served with a side of rosemary-garlic roasted red skin potatoes. There wasn't anything particularly special about this omelette. The eggs were not very fluffy. The asparagus was good, but it was simply grilled asparagus. The side of potatoes were good, but nothing out of the ordinary. I suppose I'm just confused as to what makes this dish so special that it justifies charging $15.00. We really wanted to like Cafe Zola, but it just didn't make sense as to why it is so expensive. Please note that I just moved to Ann Arbor from San Francisco and am not a stranger to paying for expensive food. However when paying $10+ for a breakfast dish there should be something about it that makes it stand out and be truly worth what you are paying. It was very disappointing to pay such an exorbitant amount for food that is nothing special, only less greasy than neighboring competitors.
(2)
D L.
I had the most delicious dinner here while in Ann Arbor to visit the business school. The highlights, as I remember them: +Interesting menu +Delicious food +A good wine selection that does not resemble what one could find in a California Safeway +Good service +Good music
(5)
Emma L.
a rude waitress could ruin your day
(1)
Tony C.
Zola...this is easily one of the best experiences to be had in Ann Arbor. I'll get the negatives for this place right out in the open. It's popular, really popular. It's expensive, but not break the bank expensive. A few reviews have commented about the wait there and true to their word, it's atrocious. So, be wise, and make a reservation. Now, let me get to the good stuff. The food at Zola is impeccable. We've had both brunch and dinner there and perhaps we've always just ordered wisely, but we've always been impressed. My in-laws even got to eat there and they are total food snobs and really enjoyed it there. For brunch, they are known for their sweet crepes, but I'm more interested in their savory items. Their omelets are excellent. For dinner, my wife got the lamb chops and they were flavorful and tender. I think they also gave her six bones, which is an extremely large portion. The service is consistent (once you sit down). The wait staff is friendly. The bar area is hopping too. They make some of the best drinks in town. Unfortunately, the bar area is quite crowded, but if you are in need of a high quality alcohol beverage and don't mind being smushed in, go here. I'm a mojito snob and theirs hit the spot. Eat here, leave a little poorer, but with a bellyful of good food, good drinks, and a smile on your face.
(5)
gina p.
Cafe Zola is not only my favorite brunch spot in Ann Arbor, but probably my favorite brunch spot EVER. Best of all possible brunches. This is not to be taken lightly. Everything on the menu is awesome, but my favorites is Turkish Eggs, sub the toast for a Zingerman's bagel. Hell. Yes. My biggest complaint is that this restaurant couldn't move with me when I left AA.
(5)
Nina B.
I love this place!! Awesome brunch place...I especially recommend the omelets. Portions are large and scrumptious. Coffee drinks are wonderful, as are the steamers. Wonderful variety of food. Even though it's a popular joint, service is relatively quick.
(5)
Paul D.
So, Cafe Zola. Hmmm. I have never been here for anything but the breakfast, so I can't comment on the evening meal. However, it is exactly because I have been here for breakfast that I have never returned for dinner. Starting with the positive, you simply cannot knock the food. The food is, simply put, fabulous. Omeletes, frittata, crepes (both sweet and savory), waffles are all, well, fabulous. From here things go quickly down hill. Every time I've been here the service is atrocious. Really, really bad. I have never once felt rushed. I have, however, almost always felt ignored. Good luck getting your water refilled. This brings me to another point. The coffee. I thoroughly enjoy coffee, especially coffee that has been well prepared in a French Press. Zola is one of the few places that I can think of that serves coffee this way (maybe the only one now that I really think about it). But, quite honestly they would do themselves and their patrons a favor if they never served coffee like this again. More mess than it's worth. Each time I've been I order coffee for the table in a French Press (you'd think that I'd remember that this is not a great idea, but I never do) and each time I am sorely disappointed. In closing, go for the food and don't worry about what you spend on the food because you'll really save on the tip.
(3)
Cecilia P.
My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. The food is expensive, but delicious. The cocktails are the best in town, made the old-fashioned way with real sour (not some mix containg high fructose corn syrup). There's a lot of labor involved in the $8 drinks--you can see why they cost more. The food is fresh and tasty--I've been here for brunch, for romantic dates, for dinner with my friends, for drinks, for every occasion. It never fails to impress.
(5)
Jon L.
Great date place, nice atmosphere and good enough food/prices to impress.
(4)
Coco C.
Zola is good, but if you are going to drop a lot of cash for fancy-ish-er food, you're better off going to Eve.
(3)
Chris S.
When I'm here for brunch I feel like I'm back in San Francisco. Very good food at reasonable prices. Insanely crowded at prime brunch time . Beat the long line by dining at the bar. I dig the little carafes they give you for your coffee refills. I've only had brunch here but I bet dinner isn't bad. Looks nice in the evening--dimly lit, cozy.
(4)
Susan L.
Solid brunch place. Friendly service. Try the chai, you get to mix the honey and cream in yourself. Crepes are hard to come by in Ann Arbor and they make a pretty good one.
(4)
Teeks L.
I grew up in New York City, so brunch is in my genes. My husband and I were visiting Ann Arbor for the weekend and decided on a whim to get brunch at Cafe Zola. We got there around 10:30am, and I expected a long wait - that's peak time at a good brunch place. But we were seated right away, and got our coffee very quickly. Our waitress was polite, quick and kept out of our way except when we needed refills. (The waitresses here are uniformly painfully beautiful, so much so that my husband was teasing me for staring). The food was AMAZING - even the english muffin that my eggs benedict came on was a fluffy, sourdough cloud. His waffle came with berries so fresh I swear they grow them in the back; the whipped cream was *not* out of a can, and the waffle itself was sweet but not cloying, light and rich at the same time. My husband's bellini was, well, just good. The only so-so thing about the experience. There were plenty of families with small kids but it wasn't too loud, we could have a normal-volume conversation. It was reasonably priced, for brunch - would be much more reasonable without the alcohol. All in all I was really impressed, and tempted to say it's the best brunch I've ever had. It was hands down the best brunch I've ever had outside NYC, no question.
(5)
Alan M.
Ate there for dinner on Sunday night. Service: If I want to rush through something, I'll go to a NASCAR race or something like that. The waitress took my girlfriend's salad practically mid-bite, asked us if we wanted dessert menus halfway through our entrees, then asked if we wanted the bill just a couple of minutes later. Of course, once we were done, it took forever to get the bill (perhaps the waitress realized she was rushing us too much). If I'm paying $28 for an entree, I expect to be treated like a valued customer, not a number. Food: The bread and salads were great. The entrees...so-so. I got the scallops, which were prepared reasonably well. But there wasn't much to the dish, just scallops and red wine reduction. Compare to Pacific Rim, where one can order the scallops for the same price and get the most amazing flavor explosion. My girlfriend had the mushroom pesto ravioli. The pesto was fantastic (when isn't pesto), but the rest of the dish was merely adequate. Overall, underwhelming for Ann Arbor. I will say that I had brunch there on one previous occasion and had no complaints. Nothing spectacular, but good brunch food.
(2)
John M.
3.5 stars. excellente waffles, kindly service, annoying art, sometimes lame bands. very "ann arbor".
(3)
Alex K.
The Service, Food, & the Atmosphere was awesome.
(5)
Ann L.
Huge menu. Good food. Nice atmosphere. Sort of pricey for the location though.
(5)
Margot F.
Zola's barista/bartender finishes lattes with a swirling leaf that draws the crema into the foam cap, the chef can be seen handling the delicate crepes through a glass window into the kitchen, and the servers dress casually during the day and button up at night, but their perfectly elegant and minimalist service is as consistent as their long black aprons. The omlettes, salads, soup, and sandwiches available during the day are served either on or with Zingerman's bakehouse bread; sweet and savory crepes and waffles are also available until the tablecloths, candles, and cloth napkins appear and Zola transforms into a casual dinner restaurant with a wine list mostly just out of range for my grad student budget and entrees in the $20 range. Menu names suggest Turkish inspiration, but the havarti and stilton are unequivocally Danish and the goat cheese they like to serve baked until smooth and creamy has absolutely got to be French. Other entrees like the seafood burger and wild mushroom pasta evoke cuisines from Asia to Argentina, although the plurality of the stops on the fusion flight are in Europe. House-made dressings like the lemony, minty dressing on the house salad and the pineapple chutney served with the gulf shrimp are fantastic. Vibrant modern art, unframed and clipped to exposed pipes, brightens the exposed brick and wood decor, accented with bar-stools stained a deep red and the white and black tables and tile. Everything about Zola feels effortlessly, un-self-consciously hip and at ease in both its day and night incarnations. It's a perfect place for brunch, particularly when it's warm enough for the patio tables to come back outside, an afternoon crepe with coffee or half a pot of tea (served in a french press), or a nice dinner that won't pretend to be "fine dining," the downfall of so many other Ann Arbor restaurants in Zola's peer group.
(4)
Megan C.
This review is only for the brunch at Cafe Zola, not for other meals. I've had brunch here twice now, and both times it was a disappointment. The positive things: the coffee is good, the waitress was very friendly, the potatoes that come with an omelet are delicious. The bad: The omelets here are huge and mostly flavorless. They are thick and bland. The toast we got with our meal was like a rock; it had obviously been toasted long before and just tossed on a plate for us. It's way too expensive for what you get. There are so many breakfast places in Ann Arbor that are far superior: Angelo's, Aut Bar, and Northside Grill are my favorites. Breakfast/brunch at those places is always an awesome experience. Cafe Zola just seems over-hyped and over-priced, at least for brunch. I am not a crepe person, so maybe that's where I've gone wrong; but it seems like if you offer like 15 omelets on your menu you should at least know how to make a decent one. Especially if you're charging $12 for it.
(3)
Andrew W.
Very good brunch. Uses local products, including zingermans, naturally. Try the smoked salmon, Turkish eggs, other specialties. Comfortable restaurant. Service could use a little work.
(4)
Derek C.
I had breakfast here with a few friends on a Sunday morning. It was very crowded, I recommend getting there early if you don't want to wait. One of the things I was most impressed with was their tea and coffee selections. We opted to go for a french press of some Costa Rican coffee, it was very good. I had the farmhouse omelette which came with some amazing potatoes. Overall it was fantastic dish and rather large. The atmosphere and service were both relaxed. We didn't feel rushed at all and were able to take our time. Definitely recommend this place to be added to the breakfast staples of Ann Arbor.
(4)
Chad C.
Pretty good food, but not so consistently good service. Some servers seem a little depressed. Or maybe that's the "we're a serious food establishment" attitude. If they had absolutely outstanding food to back it up, then maybe they could get away with it. Omelets often can be dry. Simple, but classy ambiance, and the french press coffee is a plus!
(3)
CrapulentMoose ..
Zola is my must-do breakfast spot in Ann Arbor. Any one of the many different sections of the menu would be enough to bring me back, but add them all together and you've got perfection. One of my favorites is the Turkish Brunch. It comes with a selection of cheeses, breads, olives, egg, tomato slices, cucumber, raspberry preserves, a sweet pastry, and half a french press of tea or coffee. I highly recommend the masala chai, as it's the real deal (aka NOT from concentrate) and comes with a small bottle of warmed milk or soy milk and a little pitcher of honey. But, if that's not your bag, get anything else and it will be great too. Anyone who doesn't like the food at this place is a McNugget-Head.
(5)
Michelle D.
I've eaten here a few times and each time has been pretty good, but, and this is par for the course with restaurants in this area, Cafe Zola isn't as great as people make it out to be. Cafe Zola looks and feels like a cute bistro you'd find in San Francisco or New York, serves "seasonal" dishes and charges a fairly significant amount ($13 for an omelette) however their dishes don't quite measure up to what their menu promises. Last week I ordered an artichoke omelette and what I received was an overcooked frittata with frozen vegetables covered with melted cheese. Not exactly gourmet. If you're going to make seasonal dishes, use seasonal ingredients, not ones you have to buy frozen. So, if you're in downtown Ann Arbor for brunch Zola is probably the best way to go, but keep your expectations low. You're definitely not getting what you're paying for.
(3)
Ash B.
I just learned about this last weekend when I was in Ann Arbor for a grand total of 3 days (4 nights). I went to Cafe Zola 3 out of the 3 days. I don't do stuff like that under normal circumstances, but the waffles were wonderful, macchiato magnificent, and omelets exquisite. (I can't think of an O word meaning "amazing" right now) If you go, eat the SNOWFLAKE WAFFLES. Would go back again in a jiffy.
(5)
C L.
Near perfect. I took my parents to this charming and bustling place on a Sunday when they were visiting from out of town. They serve mostly omelettes, crepes and waffles. I would avoid anything that sounds like an odd pairing (the ratatouille crepe I had falls in this group) but most regular brunch fare looked delicious. My parents had the salmon hash and the salmon omelette, both were great in terms of flavor and presentation. The waitress was also spectacularly patient and friendly. The one thing they can improve on is wait time - it looks like servers were getting confused with orders, and this could be because of how busy it got. Other than that - this is my new go-to brunch place whenever people visit.
(4)
Kim L.
The brunch menu was great, but the service was poor. My eggs were undercooked when I asked for them to be over-hard. My husband's food was good and the smoothie was good, but nothing too special. It's also very crowded and loud. Be prepared to wait even if you have a reservation.
(3)
Jeff W.
Excellent breakfast and lunch, the dinners feel pricey for Ann Arbor. But who's going to argue once you finish off the $14 Kobe burger? :-) This is a good place to relax with close friends or a date.
(4)
Christie M.
I've been here several times already but today was very very bad. Started off with a super rude hostess. My husband went in to get a table for us and I waited outside with baby in stroller. Hostess seated the couple in front of us and then ignore my husband and seated group that came in behind. If my husband didn't speak up I think she would have continue to pass us up. I always get the same thing here. Their strawberry and banana waffles were my favorite. Today my waffle was flat and had holes. One smoosh with my fork and it looks like crepes. Sad. Very sad. Cafe Zola has always been the first place I hit up when heading to Ann Arbor. Now I'm lost and don't know where to go. By the way....we waited a bit long for food. Why bring out bread after our meal I have no clue. But my 1 yr old would have appreciated if the bread was out same time with drinks. They get 3 stars just because I'm hoping today was a fluke.
(3)
Gary L.
Really should be a shade under 3 stars. Breakfast sounds more fun than dinner. My recent experience just didn't match the price. My starter was a one heirloom tomato slice, tiny halved cherry tomatoes and small wedges of zebra tomatoes topped with a small scoop of fresh mozzarella drizzled with olive oil, sea salt and basil-it was tasty but pricey at $10. Two slices of bread in a basket was served with a dollop of herbed butter and assorted brined olives. A locally made Owens (?) Ale was recommended and a refreshing golden brew for the Summer evening-$5. I tried the Kobe burger, ordered it medium rare but was served medium with no trace of pink with a small veneer of melted Stilton cheese. The meat did not have any seasoning needing salt and pepper but just tasted like a soft, greasy burger. The french fries were nicely seasoned and hot and crisp when they arrived at the table, but were served in a stainless shake cup that allowed the steam to quickly wilt the fries inside. Premium priced at $15. The grilled onion was not really caramelized and just barely touched on the grill. The spicy mayo was good on the burger and fries, but a second condiment of special ketchup was odd-tasting. The mango pineapple salsa was tasty, but I ate it separately instead of topping the burger. The server was very nice, but would disappear for long periods. It was quiet in the dining room with additional tables outside being covered by three servers. Service could be more attentive for the price you pay. Dinner was decent, but not a great value for the money-you should probably stick to the morning selections at Cafe Zola.
(3)
courtney a.
By far my favorite breakfast place when visiting my home town Ann Arbor. There are only a few things that set them back from being perfect. 1) I give them kudos for seeking out a variety of specialty coffee to chose from. However the menu doesn't change often and the restaurant consistently serves the coffee over extracted, hiding the nuances in the flavor of what could be an exciting cup of coffee. 2) I ordered an open faced omelet that I had once before and remembered loving. However this time the the yams were thrown on top of the well cooked frittata COLD AND UNSEASONeD. the waffles are unbeatable!! And the fruit is always fresh.
(4)
Dawn L.
Cafe Zola is my favorite place to have brunch in Ann Arbor, for two reasons: 1. They have the best crepes in Michigan. I was in Paris a few years ago, and when I came back I was longing for authentic crepes--then I discovered Zola, which has wheat batter for savory crepes, which is a very French style. Try the salmon crepe or the crepe with mozzarella, tomato, and basil. 2. They have excellent espresso. And they do latte art! The staff is always friendly, though the wait for brunch on a Sunday afternoon can be really long. In the evening, the restaurant turns into an upscale melange of French, American, and even Asian cuisine. Lunch isn't expensive, but expect to shell out a decent amount of money for dinner ($25-35). It's worth the occasional trip--I've had dinner here twice, and each time the meal was incredible. My first dinner here was at least two years ago now, and I can still tell you what I ate (lobster ravioli). I dreamed of it for days.
(5)
Kristina D.
I used to come to this place years ago and I've seen the progressive change in the menu over the years. I recently went back to Ann Arbor for the holidays and went to Zola's twice. Once for brunch and once for dinner. Dinner is good, the menu is not too extensive. I like that though, sometimes too many choices makes my head spin. What I really liked was the drinks menu. My friends and I decided to have martinis so we each ordered a different one. They ranged in price from $8-$10, but that what you get in Ann Arbor. When the waitress brought us our drinks she brought the shakers and poured the martinis into the glass for us and left the shakers. We each got about 2 1/2 martinis from each shaker....nice. Love getting my money's worth. I had a really nice arugula and grilled pear salad and crab cakes. They were both very good. My friend got the antipasto platter and it was sooo good. The prociutto was to die for. My other friend had a salad and a really good mushroom appetizer (can't remember it exactly). Brunch was also very good. The menu is huge and extensive. Crepes, omelets, smoothies, coffees, teas...it goes on and on. The coffee is delicious, they really get some good beans. I settled on the smoked salmon platter. It was smoked salmon, onions, capers, cream cheese, capers and a bagel. Really good and simple. My friend had one of the crepes and my other friend had the french toast. All of it was great. I highly recommend this place for any meal. It is not too big, so it can get crowded, but it's worth it.
(4)
Melissa R.
Cafe Zola gets very packed during Sunday brunch. Can't blame them but it gets very loud and sometimes you feel a bit rushed as the people waiting for a table stare you down. Luckily, that is the only downside. The food is VERY good. I love the freshness of their fruits and veggies. Their specials are always especially yummy. If it wasn't so loud, I'd go much more often.
(3)
Giggly C.
Excellent brunch fare. I loved the black forest waffle. the omlet my friend ate was savory and delicious. And how wonderful to get your ID checked when you haven't been 21 in over 10 years? ahhh......
(5)
Lisa W.
Cafe Zola is the spot to hit if you're trying to take your family out for a great brunch (because the dinner aspect can stand to be missed). As far as drinks, they have mimosas which many people like. I personally enjoy a Sharp's mixed with lemonade much better -- try it. They also have a vodka gimlet martini which introduced me to a world of vodka gimlets, and I learned almost immediately that only Cafe Zola has that art down pat. This martini cannot be duplicated anywhere else. For brunch, all I can say is they have a beautiful assortment of crepes and omlettes -- all of which are a safe bet. The omlettes are huge and unless you like eating three meals at once, try opting for a half order (which is awesome that they even do that). My favorite, however, are their WAFFLES. There is nowhere else in Ann Arbor that makes waffles like they do. It's hard even to find fresh hot waffles, but this place makes them so heavenly and tasty that it is the first thing I begged to eat after I gave birth to my son. Dinner here isn't as amazing as the brunch, but they do have this phenomenal plate of mussels with chorizo. It is so delicious. That is the only dinner item I like, but it's an excellent choice. I thought this review was done but I've forgotten several other aspects: the coffee is good, you can create your own au lait. They have milkshakes that are intense concoctions of creamy goo. The atmosphere is nice and light -- local artist's works, exposed brick walls, bamboos that have been growing since I was a freshman there, and brunch tables that moonlight into dinner tables with white tablecloth. This is probably the safest place to refer someone who wants to eat a nice meal before 3pm.
(4)
Maisie W.
The hostess did not give a reliable wait time for a table which is disingenuous and annoying and most importantly--poor hospitality. It was a busy brunch service and they were slammed--as they always are--but being honest with guests to say, "it will be at least 20 minutes, would you like to leave a number so we can call you?" at the time we first put our name down would have at least given us the chance to stroll around while we waited. Instead we waited impatiently, getting more and more frustrated and angry that our table was "almost ready, just a few more minutes." Next time please just be real.
(1)
Ana N.
Went for brunch - terrible and rude service, the food was extremely average and they messed up the order! Sent it back and received the same thing again so just left it. Such a shame because I'd heard great things - don't bother.
(1)
Vivienne D.
Went for lunch on a superrrr busy day. I expected a wait time for 2 people, but we were seated right away. The atmosphere is super chill and lively, place looked really clean as well! The menu is very complete, they offer omelets, crepes, platters, salads, sandwiches.. everything you could ever ask for! They even have a wide selection of teas and coffees if you desire a liquid accommodation. Food: Ordered salmon cake, grilled veggie salad, mushroom crepe (I forgot the true name.. but ordered it through recommendations on yelp) My partner told me his salmon cake could have used a bit more seasoning and I agreed. It was nice and moist, but a bit one dimensional in terms of flavor. The eggs were perfectly cooked though. I ordered the grilled veggie salad (because I am a health nut..) and it was PERFECT.. the dressing that went with it was delicious and balanced and the veggies were so flavorful. I dream of this salad... The mushroom crepe was nice!... Wasn't what I expected but I am glad I tried it out. The filling was 95% mushroom and had a exquisite white wine sauce with it (i think.) Maybe I am used to softer sweet crepes, but the savory crepe was pretty sturdy and hard. Very interesting flavors, try it out! crusty Bread + herb butter = super win. crusty bread+ herb butter+ jam = epic win. I wish I could have tried the coffee, but they seemed so busy I didn't want to bother them! Try this place out, it's lovely!
(4)
Rebecca S.
Had breakfast here for the first time. Nice atmosphere, clean. The menu is extensive and all sounded quite good. The two of us each got an egg dish (frittata and omelette). And they were good. I felt the frittata needed an added texture-creamy goat cheese and creamy sweet pots...maybe pine nuts? I don't know, but a crunch perhaps. The artichoke omelette was perfect. We shared a crepe. The Normandie was good in concept but the actual crepe was a bit tough and chewy, not tender. Filling and toppings were yum. Drinks were good. OJ, coffee, and an out of this world smoothie with OJ, carrot and mango. Overall a good meal with good portion sizes, albeit very pricey.
(4)
E B.
The food is unique and delicious, and the ingredients are of very high quality. The mimosas and bloody marys are also wonderful. However, it is ridiculously overpriced, even for Ann Arbor, and the owner is quite rude to the patrons. It is an Ann Arbor staple probably worth trying (especially if you can go on a weekday morning when it is less busy and you are likely to have better service), but expect to be made to feel as though you should be honored to be dining there, not the other way around.
(3)
Sheyla C.
I like Zola. I've been here 3 times; brunch, meal and drinks. I prefer this place for drinks and crepes, than for a good meal. My husband found one of his fav's beers here: Pirate! and I had one my favorite cocktails: Bellini! Service and ambiance are okay, is not a lounge.....is a pretty not fancy restaurant/cafe.
(3)
Leanna G.
The ambiance is fantastic and it's a lovely place to sit with a friend over drinks and a long quiet dinner. Their cocktails list looks positively exceptional, especially for someone like me who prefers flavorful drinks that aren't martinis. I had the wild mushroom pasta and it was positively delicious. The only quibble I have with this place is that it seemed overpriced for what you get. The food is indeed excellent, but the mushroom pasta wasn't $23 excellent, and the kir royale wasn't $8 excellent. Also, who are the people that think Cafe Zola is a $$ restaurant rather than a $$$ restaurant? I was a little unpleasantly surprised by the price tag when I showed up!
(4)
KJ H.
great for any occasion. for brunch: the best free bread i've had ANYwhere. it's from zingerman's, but somehow, it tastes better when you're sitting at cafe zola. i swear. there's a difference. i love the open-faced omelets. you can see exactly what you're eating, and that makes it even more delicious. waffles with strawberry butter! for dinner: no specific recommendations, but it's good all around. great place for a date -- nice but not TOO nice, so it's affordable without being cheap.
(4)
Julie C.
My review is more about one bad experience that I had, rather than the food here. I went with a small group of friends, since a few were moving out of town. Almost all of us ordered the Kobe burger, which was tasty. And the house fries were delicious. However, the waitress spilled a cup of red sauce on my new dress, that I was wearing to a meeting right after lunch. I ended up spending most of my time in the bathroom with a glass of club soda, trying to salvage the dress. I emerged to inhale the burger and fries, with little time to talk to my friends who were leaving. Then I had to run home to change for my meeting. Not worth the $20 tab. Okay, that's my vent.
(1)
Yuliya H.
After Eve closed, this is now probably my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. I have been here for brunch and dinner several times and have had an excellent experience every time. Love their wine list, but most recently I tried the Midnight Manhattan Martini and loved it. I generally don't like super sweet drinks and this one was perfect: a mix of bitter and slightly sweet. Yum! My favorite dinner entree here is the Hawaiian Sea Bass (Pan roasted Mero in Miso) - it's fantastic!!! The best sea bass I've ever had anywhere! Every bite is an explosion of flavor in your mouth. Love the atmosphere and ambiance. 5 stars all around!!
(5)
T V.
Had a what the heck moment here when I ordered $15 French toast only to discover that maple syrup was not included, though I could get some for $3.50 more. That seems like poor form to me. So I ate my French toast with butter only.... Other than that, it was a cute place. Service was on the slow side, but it was busy. Everyone else enjoyed their food. Whatever.
(2)
Benjamin M.
Been here a couple times for breakfast and once for dinner. Large menus are often a warning sign and this place has one of the largest. The omelettes are decent. The smoked salmon hash is one dimensional and over-salted. Oddly, they wouldn't poach the eggs, despite offering eggs benedict on the same menu. The crepes are mostly good, but I wouldn't get the salmon one. There's nothing horribly offensive about the food, but everything is about $5-$10 more than it should be, including the hot tea, which costs an astounding $8 a pot (!) and is sadly nothing special. This place gets away with charging top dollar for mediocre fare because there's too little competition in downtown Ann Arbor. Zingerman's Roadhouse is probably a bit too far out of the way for most of the regulars, but if you have the means and the will, it's a far more satisfying (and shockingly less expensive) option.
(2)
Carrie L.
There's more to a restaurant than just the food. Both of the stars I give this are just for the French Toast - which was good but not to die for. The rest of the experience would certainly not make me want to go back. The atmosphere was SO loud, and the seating was so close, I could barely talk to the person I was with. That may be good when you're out on the town for a Saturday night but certainly not what you want on a Friday morning before you've had your coffee. The thing I really hated was almost $7 (6.50) for an Orange Juice! I've paid less in Manhattan. That price, along with the total price of my bill ($54 for breakfast for 2 with tip!) is just plain rude to your guests.
(2)
Nina N.
I'm actually just coming back from bunch at Zola. Yes, it's expensive. But I'll definitely be coming back in the near future. Service is slow, but I actually preferred it that way. The food is delicious and it was SPECTACULAR to sit outside, enjoy my meal and have a great conversation with a friend. If you go for brunch, definitely order a french press. And a mimosa after your meal if you're feel extra saucy ;)
(4)
N P.
This would be the place I go to for a special evening in Ann Arbor. I love the creativity of the menu and I typically tend to always end up with dessert at all times of the day here because it is so consistently unhealthy and good lol (I run after so it's ok lol). I do love their desserts and particularly the crepes. It's just a great place overall. It's a great date place and you see couples in love and couples just getting started and you see families with college students here to celebrate holidays or just being able to visit. I love the interior and the ambience. We've had some average hostesses but the waitstaff nearly always has been so polite and friendly. You guys really make the place what it is. I read here that they are opening another location and I will check that out but please don't skip this one too. I haven't been back in a few months but if i need a date place I will go back soon.
(5)
Yasmin E.
LOVE! This place is so homey and the food is SUPERB! seriously, ANY omelet that you order is an amazing choice (I've tried them all). Add home fries to your order to experience nirvana. EXCELLENT brunch spot or place to grab dessert with friends. Ambiance is warm and semi-exotic. I've eaten in brunchspots all over the East Coast. Aside from Sabrina's in Philly, nothing to date comes close to Zola!
(5)
Ali B.
I would give Cafe Zola 3 stars for their food but their service is absolutely miserable. During our first visit to this restaurant, we were quoted a 30-40 minute wait for a table for brunch and we ended up waiting an hour and 15 minutes. Once seated, we were asked to get up and move (literally move) our table, my friend was accosted by several servers (full body spray with cleaner while an adjacent table was being cleaned, nearly hit in the face with multiple plates, generally rude servers, etc.). Finally, about 15 minutes after paying our bill, while we were finishing our beverages, we were actually asked to leave. That was the breaking point...it was overall, very disappointing. I will not be back to this restaurant.
(1)
Zachary W.
Great brunch place. I've had the Waffles and the Turkish Eggs and enjoyed both a lot.
(5)
Chelsea A.
What a bummmmmmer! The food here is GREAT. I just won't drive all the way to Ann Arbor from West Bloomfield to be treated like shit. The waitstaff are clearly young. I don't blame them for being terrible servers, I blame their boss for not mentoring them. I waited tables and did catering from 14 to 23, and never acted as goofy as the kids working here, due to it simply not being allowed by my manager, boss etc.. I assume not all the servers are awful, but after having to walk out more than once due to literally being ignored for more than 20 minutes ( I even politley asked the hostess to get my waitress 2 times on a day when there were 3 tables filled), I am DONE with Cafe Zola. What a shame, the food is really very good. If you don't mind taking a gamble on service, it is worth a try. If I lived close by I would come here again, but I rarely go to this city, so I guess it's my loss.
(1)
S P.
I went here Friday morning with my boyfriend. I ordered the bagel and lox style dish, which I think they called the 'salmon platter' or something like that. It was really underwhelming for $16. A regular toasted bagel, some cream cheese, lox, capers, and veggies were arranged on a plate for me to put together myself. The problem is that the veggies were thick cut slices of cucumber, tomato, red onion, and a big leaf of lettuce. It was exactly the kind of thing provided at BBQ events where you serve yourself a hamburger at a picnic in a park. They also put two weird lemon slices on the place but I couldn't do anything but make a mess with them. Also the bagel wasn't great...just a bagel, and served a bit too long after it was toasted (regular toasted bagels have a small window of time in which they are really tasty). I'm assuming that there are other things here to try that might be better, but my boyfriend said his meal, a portobello sandwich, was nothing to write home about. With prices like that I was hoping for something more exciting (which I think is reasonable...I've found a few places that put lots of work into every dish, down the the steak sides or house salad).
(2)
Snezana S.
Amazing place. I loved the european atmosphere inside. The food was excellent, I had the belgian waffle with wild berries and cream and my husband had an omelette which came with roasted patatos and homebaked bread. We both left smiling and very happy with everything we tried. I think they have a great selection of food, I recommend it with all my heart!
(5)
Angelina V.
Excellent! Always really busy, and rightfully so. Great and unique cuisine.
(4)
Bridget K.
An actress friend of mine was shooting part of her latest romantic comedy in Ann Arbor so I made the journey from Detroit to meet for lunch. We landed on Cafe Zola thanks to a suggestion from her hair stylist based in Ann Arbor. We walked right in because it was already 2 pm. We had passed the lunch rush. Our server was new but she did a great job! We both got the Turkish lemonade with was good but pretty sugary. The entre was pretty good and a nice sized portion. My friend got one of the soup specials because of the great bread. She was not disappointed.
(4)
Kim G.
Brunch you say? I'm in. I realized a lot of places in Ann Arbor have exposed brick and nice artwork. When we arrived, they took our name and had us wait at the bar as we ordered some coffee. The best thing was when our name was called, they brought over all 4 coffees to our table for us! I love coffee with my savory entree of choice and this time it was the Turkish Eggs. The spinach fused into the egg white, with a block of feta cheese nestled in between the two yolks, and a burst of color from the ripe tomato slices and kalamata olives. I was intrigued, and it was filling. The portions are pretty large here, and you'll probably have to take your side of potatoes home (and I love that it's a side of potatoes and not toast)! A cafe to enjoy, and the menu is extensive. I even got a peek into the men's room where the mirror has a round lightbulb to frame your face. Am I the first to mention this important detail?
(4)
Amanda L.
My all time favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. What's not to love? Excellent brunch - crepes, omelettes, french toast, turkish delights, and super delicious coffee. The dinner is just as good, if not better. Only issue is that because it is so amazing, there is always a long wait for brunch - be prepared to wait 45+ mins, depending on when you get there. It's also very crowded and loud during brunch time. Dinner is much more intimate.
(5)
Mark S.
Having been a regular at Zola's for breakfast once a week with friends for the better part of a year, we finally looked at each other and wondered what the hell we were doing! The service had steadily gone downhill to the point where at times we wondered if our server was even still in the building. And $6.50 for a large orange juice,... really,..?? The endless cup of coffee is nice, but at the end of the day, you're paying a lot of money for a mediocre breakfast. We've since started on the weekly breakfast tour hitting the other joints around town, and sufficed to say, we're having a blast! To be fair, we have not eaten at Zola's for lunch or dinner.
(2)
Rebecca L.
Brunch 9-16-12 Visiting MI Great atmosphere, good menu options, good service! Despite being pretty packed at 1pm for brunchers on Sunday, we were seated in about 10 minutes and the service that followed was great! We ordered: Smoked Salmon-my friend really liked it but to be honest it didn't look like anything special. Just your standard salmon, bagel, capers, and creme fraiche. Crepe Zola-(opinion of friend that ordered it)mediocre. Not good or bad but lacking some serious flavor. I didn't try it myself but it did look like there wasn't enough basil. I wonder about the tomatoes they use. They looked like steak tomatoes--which are usually watery and not used when making a Caprese salad which is what the Zola is inside of a crepe. Also the moz looked a little yellow and so maybe wasn't the fresh also used with salad. Crepe Champignon-My dish and it was great! I love mushrooms and this was super yummy. Not too heavy a dish--as in it isn't cheesy or really very creamy. I would come back for this one for sure. Also had the potatoes (good!) and the fruit (very fresh and great selection---no overripe melon ruining the bowl as so often happens. Is cantaloupe just that cheap?) Drinks: Mimosas-pricey but I do believe they were made with fresh squeezed juice so I understand the price Kir-white wine poured over blackberry (?) liqueur. This is a good option if you don't want something too sweet as the liqueur is more tart. One star deducted for a combo of mediocre crepe zola and the price of the meal. The entrees were too expensive. Its just a fact. My mushroom crepe was something like $13 and the fruit was $5. Drinks were $9.50. Nothing on the menu was priced reasonably. (and I am from Chicago!)
(4)
Christine F.
We have a few friends in Ann Arbor, and the last few times we've been through this stretch we've gotten dinner at Zola. It's always been very busy when we've gone. Service has always been good. Food has always been tasty. I've had the wild mushroom pasta. It's pasta (I presume fresh) made with a mushroom cream sauce, asparagus and a basil-walnut pesto with herbed goat cheese. Just dreamy. So dreamy. It's as good as it sounds. Way back, in the days of yore, I had a lemon/caper fish, which was also very good. The pasta was more memorable, though. I am a carb fiend... This place is a delicious place for dinnah. Very parent friendly, as well.
(4)
Jamie V.
Absolutely delicious food and drinks. It can be a bit pricy but the food and beverages are totally worth it! The crepes are great and the cocktails are yummy! The coffee is fantastic too. It will not disappoint!
(5)
Joshua G.
The waffles and coffee are excellent! They also have fresh oj and a great selection of teas. Wonderful Omlettes. If you are looking for lunch the salmon burger is amazing and doesn't fall into the category of being a fishy tasty sandwich. The salmon is ground like hamburger meat and the malt fries compliment it well
(5)
Bethany H.
They raised their prices and lowered their value!
(2)
Anne I.
I've been here for brunch and for dinner. A little pricey, but definitely good place for brunch. Dinner is, eh, so-so. I ordered a lox omelette for brunch, and since I was with friends, we ordered fresh fruits for the table. They were delicious, and my omelette was great. On another occasion, I stopped by for dinner and ordered a salmon dish. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best I'd had either. It was really rich and kind of bland. The service was friendly and attentive when I was there, both times. The atmosphere of Cafe Zola is pretty nice; a little fancier and chic than the usual restaurant, so perfect for evening dates and morning get-togethers. Although I'm not sure about the price, I'm guessing it wouldn't be bad for nice drinks for girls-night-out either. If I'm not going for brunch, then I'd go for the ambiance.
(3)
Beth H.
The food is consistantly good, but the service and time between ordering and receiving is poor. when going for a weekday lunch hour, they should hire more staff so people can get service and eat within an hour. Have been there 3 times this year alone, and have waited a solid hour between ordering our salads and getting them on the table. On one such visit we asked for bread during the wait because we were starving. The waitress said our food doesn't come with bread, and she held her ground when we contested, so what comes with our salads... bread. So if you don't mind incompetence, and a long wait, the food is good. But then again, you can get a salad most places downtown. Oh and don't expect to get any beverage refills.
(2)
Sarah W.
This place has so many reviews because it has pretty good food and good atmosphere. It's a clean cut place with the ambiance of a high class cafe. Nice wrap around bar where you can grab a drink or have a coffee. I have been here for brunch and dinner. i have to say the brunch beats dinner hands down. Some of the best things here are the vanilla latte, Turkish brunch , and any of the crepes (savory or sweet). The Turkish brunch gives you your choice of coffee or tea, a plate of cheese, eggs, tomatoes and a basket of all kinds of breads and pastries. It's enough for two people. Make sure you come here early on weekends, there is going to be a wait for sure! Even though the food is best at brunch, it is still a great place to come at night if your out on a date or need a small intimate dinner. There is also outdoor seating in the summer. And don't forget you can get their coffee to go, grab a chocolate croissant too.
(4)
Saleem M.
Brunch was hit or miss for my table of 4. My friends' bloody marys took 15 minutes, and when my latte hadn't come by 20 minutes, it was explained to me that "espresso drinks sometimes take a bit of time." I would have appreciated the real response, "Oh I forgot to put it in, I'll get right on it". The food took forever, and two of my friends did not enjoy it at all. The restaurant is redeemed by a visit I made a week later for dinner, which was much more pleasant (if not expensive)
(3)
Jeremy M.
I visited this place with a couple friends who live in Michigan and raved about this place and whereas my main dish was just ok, everything else, food, beverage & atmosphere, was amazing and I look forward to trying something else next time I venture that way. I ordered the Frittata Zola which is an Italian open faced omelet that had sweet potato cubes, goat cheese and a type of fresh croutons on top. The lineup sounded outstanding and was very fresh but I felt like the eggs or other ingredients should've been seasoned with something. It had a very bland taste for all of those ingredients and my assumption is it didn't have a pinch of salt or pepper. Now on to the rest which isn't much. The dish I ordered came with some homestyle fries that were amazing. I literally could've just sat there and eaten those alone all day and it's been a while since I felt that way about a potato. The dish also came with some baguette type toast where it and the butter was great. And lastly, the freshly squeezed OJ was the best I'd ever had and I can only imagine they squeezed it for me moments before bringing it to the table, not earlier that morning. It was that good.
(4)
ting b.
Major fan of this place. Never been here for brunch, which I heard is THE time to go, but I've had dinner here twice. First time I had a salmon burger, which was good but not amazing. The second time was amazing. I shared a mussels fado appetizer, the blackened salmon with portabello ravioli, and the herb rubbed bricked roasted chicken with lemon garlic sauce. YUUMMM!!! Literally, we didn't say anything for like 20 something minutes as we stuffed our faces. Also, the service is really great and the atmosphere very casual yet classy. Whoever was in charge of the decor has a strong streak of good taste. Another plus is that the prices are rather reasonable. I'm definitely coming back here again or taking visitors from out of town here.
(5)
nate c.
I've never once had a merely adequate meal at Zola. Good meals tend toward the outstanding, bad ones make you swear up and down that this is the last time you'll be stupid enough to trust your hangover to this kitchen. In brief... Yes, yes, YES!: top-notch wait staff (lately, anyway), the salt and grease explosion that is the Turkish brunch, some very crabby crab cakes, and extra horseradishy Blood Marys. Probably the most pleasant interior of any restaurant in Ann Arbor. For shame: $6 (I swear to god) "market price" orange juice, scattered kitchen incompetence (solid yolks on poached eggs; risible, insubstantial waffles). Also, as even my cat knows, it is essential that there be _two_ towers of egg on any benedict.
(3)
Patrick M.
I'm giving Cafe Zola four stars because my experience there was OK. I enjoyed that the place was very busy, but I was able to get in without a wait. The service was great, my server was very helpful and nice even with the place being so busy. The food was ok but had a lot of potential. I had the Turkish Eggs which I think the eggs were way over cooked. So much so the feta cheese got to be very dry. My wife had a omelet it was basically goat cheese, a big slab of eggs and onions. Good ingredients but not very good in my opinion. I do plan to go back because the food could be better I plan to look at suggestions on yelp before I go next time.
(4)
Christopher L.
Oatmeal is fine Turkish eggs were ok at best Their free bread is incredible
(2)
Nicole P.
I guess I won't be a hipster and put down a place that has had more positive reviews in reputable publications like the NY Times than most any other restaurant in this area but...I like it. I've been here twice at this point; both times for weekend brunch. It was extremely busy both days, but there was little to no wait. Yes, it gets crowded in this place and there is very little room to move around. If you have a problem with small walkways, this isn't your place. If you're familiar with the words "excuse me", check it out. Both times (because I'm apparently an old man who enjoys a routine) I had the Crepe Zola. It was great and tasted just as good the second time as it had the first time. My friends tried the Florentine Crepe and the Ratatouille Crepe, as well as a house salad, some sort of side order of red skin potatoes, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, espresso, and Turkish coffee. Having two grown men tell me that they were surprisingly full after a crepe, added to the fact that I was unable to finish either of mine (each on separate visits), makes me feel like the crepes are indeed wholesome and good. From what I heard about the beverages, they're pretty impressive if you consider yourself knowledgable in coffee/espresso. I'm not a big dog so I stayed on the porch and had raspberry iced tea. Cool place altogether. I will definitely return.
(4)
Mitch M.
In a word: Pretentious. This place typically has a long wait to get food (Ann Arbor is filled with pretentious yuppies who eat this stuff up), and after the usually rude wait staff has seated you prepare your eyes for a menu that is lacking in almost every way. Oh, except in price. They sure know how to take every dollar they can from people. Essentially, you're paying for the status of saying "I went to Cafe Zola for brunch" ... and if you're in such desperate need to feel good about yourself that way, why not at least have some enjoyable food? I'm not saying their food is bad, per say, it's just an ... acquired taste. What's most disappointing is that they cater exclusively to the yuppie crowd and if the kind of food these people eat isn't what you're looking for, why go to their yuppie treehouse? There is a restaurant in the South Loop in Chicago called Yolk which is similar in some ways, but has better food, better prices and a better staff. If you're from Chicago and know of Yolk and go to Cafe Zola expecting similarities, prepare to be greatly disappointed. I truly wish Cafe Zola would take some lessons from Yolk. I've been here for brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks... A lot of my friends like it (and these friends are as stuck up as they come). After paying $15.00 for a waffle last time I went, I decided it was time to just say no. I encourage anyone who hasn't been to do the same: just say no to Cafe Zola.
(1)
Julie H.
Ehhh... Maybe we ordered the wrong things...or my palate wasn't too thrilled...thinking back, we had one of their savory crepes - the ratouielle and it really didn't have much flavor. We also ordered a frittata - which didn't taste like anything to me either... Plus - they're on the pricey side....next time, I'll have a dessert crepe... Till then, 2 stars for their endearing space.
(2)
Taryl M.
Stopped in for breakfast on a Friday morning and it was surprisingly busy! I thought about getting an orange juice but $5.50 for a small glass I decided to pass! I ordered the French toast on cinnamon raisen bread and it was delicious! It didn't come with any sides which was a bit of a bummer since personally I would have preferred a smaller portion with a side. Overall I really liked the vibe and character of the restaurant and would definitely return if back in Ann Arbor!
(4)
Ashley Z.
My husband and I went for brunch on a Sunday morning around 10:30am. He ordered a coffee and I ordered a decaf latte, both were wonderful and came quickly. We were really hungry and couldn't make up our minds right away so we decided to split a croissant ($3) while we kept reading the menu. It was a huge, delicious, almond croissant from a local bakery (The Croissant Shop). It was definitely a good idea to munch on while sipping our coffee and choosing our meal. He ended up getting the Savory Complete Crepe and I got the Kendrick's Favorite Crepe. I grew up eating very sweet crepes with strawberries, powdered sugar and the fix'ns but I really enjoyed this light crepe. I got a side of strawberries because I wasn't sure if it would've been too plain on it's own. It really didn't need the strawberries afterall. We were both starving and left full. In fact, I'd say that in the future, we could've gotten coffee, split a croissant and a single crepe dish and left satisfied. We really enjoyed sitting outside and our wait was only 10 minutes. (It was really busy). The only thing I'd change is that our waitress was not wearing very much clothing. That seemed kinda odd and distracting. Otherwise, great service and great food! We will be back!
(5)
Sutirtha B.
I was out here for dinner with 3 colleagues of mine from the university for dinner. I did not have a good experience at all at the restaurant though I will acknowledge that my fellow diners may have had a somewhat better experience than I had. What did not go well: A: Service: Not much to complain about, other than the fact that they took away our bread plates even when we were not done with having bread. All of my 3 colleagues ended up taking the bread and having it without a plate in front. That could have been better. And the other thing in terms of service which was a bummer was that we were on official business and our admin person had made reservations with the restaurant and had arranged to have it paid by P-card (the University of Michigan's payment system for vendors). And yet when one of us was about to sign the bill, the waitress came up and said that the P-card number wasn't correct. Knowing our admin person, it is unlikely that she had made a mistake and it is much more likely that the restaurant had not gotten it right. But finally the food itself. The portions were OK but it was my main entree which killed the whole thing for me. I had ordered scallops with spinach and there is just no other way to say it - the scallops were charred pretty bad. When I bit into the first one, I was quite surprised to see that it was charred but then as I took a second one, I realized that the same was true of it as well. And then for all of my remaining scallops, I tried to remove the portions which were charred and have the rest. Doesn't work so well, in case you didn't know. And so, I ended up having 6-8 scallops which were largely burnt. And what is worse is that not once, I kid you not, not once did the waitress come and ask us about the food. Places which charge half the price as Cafe Zola's will have people stop by at least once during your meal to ask you about your experience and sadly, they did not come by even once. If they had, I would have been tempted to return my plate - it was really that bad. Oh and the last thing - since I knew that I was going to this place for dinner and had planned on having the Lobster Ravioli that was listed on their online menu. Guess what, they don't serve the ravioli at all. Would have been good to know because in that event, I would have chosen a different restaurant such as Real Seafood Company. Very very disappointed overall with how things turned out at every step.
(1)
Robert C.
Tucked away on Washington Street, Cafe Zola is one of Ann Arbor's overlooked gems. The curved, stone bar at Cafe Zola is one of city's best places to eat or drink, allowing regulars to gather and guests to watch the comings and goings in this cozy space. Drinks are always made to perfection, and the selection includes a mix of classic cocktails and new inventions, such as the Midnight Manhattan (made with port instead of Vermouth). The service is consistently good, and the food matches in quality. Admittedly, I'll often skip the main dishes and go for a mix of starters, including: the Bruschetta Zola, the Stilton Salad, and the Blue Crab Cakes with Smoky Paprika Aioli and Citrus Chutney. To experience Ann Arbor's best french fries, order them "off menu" at Cafe Zola. They come with homemade ketchup and garlic mayo for dipping. The fries suit whatever you're ordering, whether it's an omelette, the Chimichuri Tango, or a Martini. Zola's biggest fault, admittedly, is the lack of new items to the menu. While consistency is appreciated, it would be nice to see some seasonal additions. Whether for drinks, dinner, or brunch, Cafe Zola is well worth the visit.
(5)
Irene L.
I've been here for brunch a few times, and the quality seems to vary depending on who's working and how busy the place is (usually quite busy when I go). When it's good.... it is GOOD. When it's an off day... it isn't horrible, but "I am paying HOW MUCH for this overcooked omelette?" tends to come up in my head a few times... Typically I am more into the umami/savory brunch, but the time I risked straying from my usual choices and got a waffle, I was not disappointed! It was light and fluffy on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside. Perfection!
(4)
Jaron O.
I enjoyed everything about this place, I'm just giving it 4 stars because I think it seemed a bit overpriced to me. I had an omelette that was really tasty, but no omelette should be $13 in my opinion (to be fair, most of them were $11 or $12, but that's still kinda steep, no?). Otherwise, friendly service, great food and beverages (bloody mary was killiin'), and a solid commitment to fresh organic ingredients has a big thumbs up from me. Plus I love a place that serves breakfast until 3pm :).
(4)
Dea A.
Settle down for breakfast with a savory buckwheat crepe and a French press filled with delicious coffee. Or do a delicious and extravagant Gabus waffle with chocolate sauce and a scoop of ice cream with a carafe of hot jasmine tea. The chef that started the restaurant specialized in breakfast and it shows. The batters are excellent. The waffles are as they should be, truly Belgian style, light and crispy. The crepes closely resemble the savory Galettes de sarrasin and the more Americanized dessert crepes.
(5)
Mark E.
Really nice food and very interesting menu, with good sandwich and salad options. Great tea and coffee options. For the most part, I heartily recommend Zola. The only thing I will say is that the acoustics of the main dining room are not conducive to conversation - extremely noisy when it is busy, which it usually is. Personal faves include the Kobe burger, the grilled chicken sandwich, the pomme frites (when not overdone, which occasionally they are.) My wife likes the Turkish eggs and the teas. I should note that I'm talking almost entirely about brunch/lunch as I've only eaten here for dinner once (I recall was quite good.)
(4)
Amy B.
I have been to Cafe Zola several times over the last several years. The tables are small and you may sit close to other diners, but that doesn't bother me and it seems quite European or cafe style to me. It's a popular place, but I have never had a long wait (I think it depends on what time of day/day of the week you go). The bathrooms are modern and clean and the paper towels are plush and fabulous! I am always glad to see a well maintained restroom at a restaurant. The service has always been fine - no problems. I haven't had any over the top fantastic service, but it hasn't been below average, either. I'd say the service was good, but I'm sorry to say that I don't really have high expectations for really, really great service in Ann Arbor. I never experienced it while I lived there or any time I've been back to visit. The coffees are really great. On our most recent visit my husband had a mocha and he said it was really good and he can be pretty particular about his specialty coffee. I had a soy decaf cappuccino and I'd give that on it's own 5 stars. It totally hit the spot and was a very well made coffee. Our water glasses were frequently refilled (very important to me and this makes me happy!). I had the Crepe Zola and it was very good with yummy mozzarella, tomato, basil, and topped with a small drizzle of creme fraiche. The crepe is a nice option because it's light and fresh, but also fills me up and doesn't leave me hungry or overly full. I've also had the salad with salmon a few times before and have always enjoyed that, too. My husband had a Kobe burger before and he recalled it being very tasty, but messy. This time he had the salmon omelet and I had a few bites and it had truly excellent flavor. I did not have to use salt or pepper on any of my food, and I am constantly reaching for the pepper, so I think it speaks to how well put together the menu options are and that they are properly seasoned. The bread and butter is really lovely, but I'm not sure how many patrons actually have room for the bread and butter, since the other items on the menu are really delicious and satisfying. One of our friends got the crab cake Benedict and it looked so great and she seemed to enjoy it very much. She also got grilled asparagus, which I tried and that was also very good - - asparagus exactly how it should be cooked! I love to visit Cafe Zola when I come back to Ann Arbor and it seems to be the place to meet old friends for brunch. Any time I know I'll be in Ann Arbor, Cafe Zola is the first place that comes to mind for a nice breakfast, brunch or lunch. Oh, and when the weather is nice, there is outdoor seating, which is fun.
(5)
Maya B.
LOVE this place. Food is delicious and fresh. Server was super knowledgable and friendly, drinks were amazing. Can't say enough good things - lots of healthy options - cannot wait for Zola Bistro to open!
(5)
Annalisa B.
Few things in life are better than a relaxing summer patio zolas brunch. The omlettes are divine, but the best part is not just the French press coffee, but the soy chai. Unlike any other I have ever had. Just brilliant.
(5)
Donna F.
Ordered a breakfast item, and it was just ok. Sat outside, and service was good.
(3)
Shon C.
This is a little weird for me. I actually really like this place and go pretty often, but I can't bring myself to to give it 4 stars. I would say Zola fits in the 3.5 range. Here's the deal: Zola has great brunch, if you can afford it. That's the primary problem, it's very expensive. Sure, I appreciate fresh-squeezed orange juice and quality champagne in my Mimosa, but I'm not sure I want to pay $8 for it. Similarly, I love the smoked salmon crepe, but $12.95? Come on. Again, quality smoked salmon, crepe is always beautiful, great texture and flavor, but perhaps still a bit over-priced. I've noticed a lot of posts discuss the service; I actually haven't found it to be all that bad. They may not be as fast to fill your coffee as Northside (see my review, love Northside!), but when it arrives the coffee is great. Nobody has been overtly rude to me, and I'm generally seated pretty quickly when it's not busy. They tend not to seat parties until everyone is present, which has been a problem for me more than once. But I got over it with some Turkish Eggs, so no biggie. Pros: Yummy Turkish Eggs, Crepes, drinks, coffee, great ambiance, lively crowd, awesome location in downtown Ann Arbor Cons: Expensive, average service, usually a decent wait for weekend brunch
(3)
Monika S.
Great food. Attentive staff. They recognize their steady customers.
(5)
Charles J.
Such a yummy lunch spot! I've only ever had the dinner (also succulent) and finally had time to come in for lunch. I had the Summer in Provence salad with the most delicious vinaigrette I've ever had! The combination of goat cheese, roasted red peppers and mushrooms on a salad is superb. I also had a mojito that was perfectly minty and refreshing. My date had the crepe Zola and it was the perfect pairing of tomatos and mozzerella and light fluffy crepe - if you're in Ann Arbor, you have to try this place, it's definitely one of the best!
(5)
Bernadette C.
Great place for brunch. I tried the crepes, which was made quite well, tasty, and healthy. I appreciate that they didn't add gallons of oil and butter into their crepe batter. While the bf and I didn't order too many things off the menu that day, I did appreciate the coffee. It's hard to get good coffee in Ann Arbor (trust me!!) and this place was reminiscent of the coffee shops back in Berkeley. Next time I'm going to try their Turkish delight - it's a plate of eggs with cheese, olives, tomatoes, and problem some other random veggies. Whatever it has in it, it looked GREAT when the people next to us ordered it, and the plate was huge! I was also pleasantly surprised by the style and decor of the cafe. It has a very relaxed feel. Homey, but trendy at the same time. It's gets busy as the brunch hours go by, so I suggest getting there a little earlier (that's like 11 for me =P) One negative note, though, is if you go, wear casual clothes. The smell of the food really sticks to whatever you're wearing. So if you're thinking about the super nice jacket you bought for $$$, don't bring it into the restaurant!
(4)
Anabelle O.
My absolute favorite restaurant and I'm from LA. The goat cheese adriatica and Emile's arugula salad are both so delicious and my bf loves the burger. Also a perfect brunch spot. Love love love!!
(5)
Jonas L.
Zola, I'm bored with you. Tonight, I was going to go out for a special meal. You have been my usual choice, for both brunch and dinner. But I want something new. Yes, the brunch is great. The omelette duxelles you have is absolutely delicious (but people who are conscientious of animal rights should be aware that it's made with veal stock). Your coffee is among the best in town. And that homemade ketchup is damn good. By the way, when I say I want my omelette not so well done, I mean that I want the inside to be runny, even if that gives me salmonella. Yes, the dinner is solid. Your non-red-meat-dishes are so-so. But the lamb and steak entrees make murder so tasty. However, you really should train your staff better. Once, your server recommended me a Sauvignon Blanc that she has never tasted, and it was ehhh. Next time, I'm calling the owner/sommelier over. Even though I say these nice things about you, deep down inside, I think we're done. Not like done-done, forever, but you won't be my go-to place anymore. I've experienced nearly everything on the dish, and in all these years, you've not come up with one new thing. Sorry, I need something new, something adventurous, something different. We can still hook up every now and then for brunch, but that's about it.
(4)
Debbie H.
When did Zola earn the 5-star rating from Deb and I? How soon after I tasted the smoked salmon omelette did the stars begin adding up? Was it just a single bite after tasting the fluffy, perfectly cooked egg, the fresh salmon, the palate-satisfying mustard sauce or the seasoned potatoes that we were seeing stars? Maybe it was only after trying Deb's strawberry and banana waffle with real whipped cream (and realizing a one-bite "I'll just try it" promise was going to border on impossible) that the rating climbed. Could've been the terrific lemonade and tea ... Or the outstanding, cheerful service (Katrina) ... Or, or actually who cares? I guess all that matters is that everything that goes into a place earning five stars, Zola accomplished in short order. We were heading to the hospital at UofM for a less-than-pleasant morning and afternoon but Zola helped get us off on the right foot with a more-than-pleasant breakfast. We'll be back.
(5)
O L.
For any weekend brunch, this place is packed and busy. I expected a wait when I arrived since there were so many people outside, but my friend and I actually got seated right away. There was a slight sense of guilt, but that quickly passed once I got my coffee. The restaurant can get loud and tight with so many customers, but as soon as the food arrives, nothing else matters. I ordered an omelette that was solid and tasty, but I want to rave about the waffles since I was pretty much taking generous bites from my friend's plate. The waffles here are absolutely amazing. I've tried many waffles and nothing comes close to Zola's. The light cake-like texture balances perfectly with the crisp crystallized sweetness of the shell. Every bite was light and refreshing and has you going back for more. It's so good, it's sinful!
(5)
mariah c.
Mmmmm.... giant waffles! Ok, ok, I know Zola serves things other than waffles and crepes (see Dharma's review), but those are the items that first got me hooked on this place, and those are the reasons why I return. One of these days I'll branch out and get a salad. Today I *tried* to order a sandwich, but they were out of the ingredients. But hey, I think that was just fate urging me to stick with what I know. And I know I love big, fluffy waffles with tasty spiced fruit. I also know I can't ever finish a whole portion (the same rule is generally true for the crepes). A new summer favorite: Turkish lemonade -- with a twist of lime and fresh mint, it's even more refreshing than my regular summer standby. It's worth noting that they don't always take reservations, but will do a brunch reservation for a party of 6 or more.
(4)
Christine E.
My waffle with Michigan maple syrup, strawberries and sweetened whipped cream tasted like sunshine - so light, so fluffy, just the perfect amount of sweetness. Swear to God that was hands down the best waffle I've ever had. The tea comes in this cool pot that presses down the loose tea leaves when you want to pour. Very nice Earl Grey. My mom got an omelet with goat cheese, potatoes and some other stuff that was good, but not as good as my waffle. Staff was incredibly charming. Expensive? You betcha. Delicious? Absolutely!
(5)
Naren A.
This place is awesome! Love their bread and herb butter.. I had the vegetarian omelette duxelles, it was mushroom, mushroom and more mushroom, would have like something else as well, hence cut a star...:D we also had the black forest waffle and it was a stunner! The best part of my meal was the roasted pink potatoes that came with the omelette, they were out of the world... We also ordered half a pot of Chai, came in a french press with all the spices floating on top!!! Good service, Sunday morning at 11 am had a wait of 5 mins, awesome...
(4)
Christopher T.
Definitely a must visit if in Ann Arbor. I had the open faced omelette with artichoke, peppers, potatoes, green beans, and onions. It was so amazing! My niece had the snowball waffle which was also yum, yum, yum. I don't think they make anything here that is bad. Plus, the service is very friendly.
(5)
Amy L.
Excellent Ann Arbor Sunday brunch place! The food is amazing:) Of course, on Sunday it is very crowded and you should expect to wait. There is not a very large waiting area and most people stand outside. Not too bad when the weather is reasonable. The service is okay, typical for a very busy restaurant on Sunday morning. It seems to be a little expensive, but that doesn't keep people away. I will most likey be coming back!
(3)
Kelsey P.
To me, Cafe Zola is a whole 'nother step up in food quality than any of the breakfast choices in Ann Arbor. Every component of each meal I've seen is of amazing quality - whether it's the honey-mustard sauce, coffee, or salmon. Unfortunately, this higher quality comes at a price. One might argue that the prices are fair for its finer quality, but these prices relegate me to keeping Cafe Zola's for special occasions.
(4)
Julie J.
Huh. Zola, I think I caught you on a bad day. Some background: I ate at Cafe Zola for the first time last week during a Holiday brunch with co-workers. There were eight of us in total, so I think it's safe to say we were a relatively large party (which is always more challenging for everyone involved). A reservation was made at least one month in advance, if not longer. Three of my co-workers and I arrived before the rest of our party. When we gave our name, we were told that we wouldn't be seated until all of our party had arrived. We had no choice (given that it was well below freezing outside) but to crowd into the small entryway to the restaurant while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. This was less than ideal for everyone because we were blocking the entrance for other patrons and inhibiting the waitstaff. Even after our additional people arrived (and the entryway became even more crowded), we continued to wait for a few minutes longer as the table was cleared. When we were finally seated, the table was clearly too small to accommodate all of us. After one of my co-workers complained, the staff quickly added another table, which helped free up some room. Even with the additional table, however, I had very little elbow room and I wasn't comfortable. The food was good. I had the open faced artichoke omelette and enjoyed it. The coffee was brewed well and I was amused by the refill containers (pretty sure you can see them in the pictures section above.) Their waffles look truly decadent. I wasn't ready for one at 2:00 on a weekday afternoon but maybe when out-of-town company visits, we can try them. I don't recommend Cafe Zola for parties larger than six people. The restaurant is physically not large enough to accommodate large groups. But I believe it has potential to be a pleasant place to have a leisurely brunch. I'll have to come back in a smaller group and try again. Although the experience was not perfect, I give the dining staff credit for doing their best to accommodate our large party. When we complained, they acted quickly to re-arrange things.
(3)
Rebecca W.
Andrea B. recommends making Cafe Zola a serendipitous part of a weekday afternoon....this is precisely what SK and I did, and it worked maaaaaaarvelously. From the outside it looked a bit crowded--lots of people milling around, though it turned out some of them were just walking down the sidewalk (out of our way, pedestrians! We are hungry!). We perused the menu briefly and ducked inside--and found no wait for a party of two! It must be said, however, that the table was veery tiny, veeery right inside the door, and veeery close to the party of two next to us. Like, in moments of comfortable silence at our table, we we were basically audience to the conversation at theirs. The. Food. Was. Ridiculous. SK had the Southwest omelet with sausage--sour cream, some kind of cheese (?), and a green chili sauce that he really liked. He proclaimed the omelets "sturdy," which he meant as a compliment--they were also sufficiently fluffy. Though tempted by all the mushroomy delights (next time?), I wanted to have something really different (at least for me) and went with the Frittata Zola: an open-face omelet with carmelized onions, sweet potato cubes, goat cheese, and fluffy challah croutons. Oh. So. Good. The flavors, which had me curious but wary, blended in strange and magical ways. Another reviewer has said that she found the sweet potatoes inedibly undercooked. Mine were cooked all the way through--no crunchiness--but still very firm and bright. For the first few bites I feared that they'd be raw (and this was before I read the other review) but I grew to trust the frittata and soon relaxed. It really hit me as I was chewing my last bite that there was basically nothing "on" any of the ingredients. Egg. Onions. Sweet Potatoes. Goat cheese. An absolute minimum of sauces and spices--which made me respect the frittata all the more. On the other end of the secret herbs and spices spectrum were the roasted rosemary potatoes (which come with the three-egg omelets--v. generous portions!). Every time I turned to my taters, the first bite was unbelievable. By bite three, though, I'd be getting thirsty--they were a tad on the salty side, but still delicious and cooked perfectly. SK and I were wary of the cool, crunchy centers and mushy outsides common with such large chunks of potato. No such thing! Wonderful, consistent texture. At other tables we saw fries served in what looked like a milkshake cup (the metal kind), martinis served tableside from little shakers, and French press coffees and teas. My own coffee refill was delivered by our very nice, not aloof server (though she did disappear right when we wanted our bill) in a cute little glass carafe. It was pricier than we usually look for in a breakfast, but not unreasonable for the quantity and quality you get. This was one of the best brunches I've ever had. My only complaint is the coffee--$3.50 for regular brewed coffee? I mean, I know it's fair trade and organic and "free refills" (that's not assumed?), but still. Had I known the price ahead of time (I tend to order coffee as I sit down, not after perusing the menu) I would have gone with a cappuccino or similar--they were less than fifty cents more. Momometer: my mom would LOVE this place. If she ever comes to visit on her own or with a girlfriend, we're going. I didn't try the famous Turkish Brunch because I don't really do olives (or hard-boiled eggs for that matter). But she does both, and more, and would love it. Popometer: Sadly, this place would be totally wasted on my dad. He is a pancakes, sausage links, and maple syrup man and despite the famed waffles, I think he would find this place an expensive way to miss the point of brunch. Not to mention that it is REALLY LOUD AND CLANGY INSIDE AND YOU HAVE TO TALK LIKE THIS! He wouldn't be able to hear a damn thing, and would be annoyed by that as well. The experience would be redeemable for him if we sat outside, maybe, but I still wouldn't invest in a Zola brunch for dad. More frittata for me.
(4)
Evan M.
If you want to eat breakfast/brunch at Cafe Zola especially on a Saturday or Sunday, then be ready to wait at least 30 minutes for a table because it's jam-packed. The hostess was in control, but the three other waiters who kept "playing" hostess made it frustrating for us customers who were waiting for a table because of all the confusion it caused. Not to mention, there is no real waiting area for customers, so we were packed in the front doorway like sardines and on top of other customers who were trying to enjoy their meals. This cafe is cute. It reminds me of a few small restaurants in Manhattan I have eaten in with high ceilings and exposed brick interior. However, it's a little too cozy, as tables are about a 1/2 inch from each other. On the positive, the food is great. I ordered the Farmhouse omelet, which was amazing, they have a fully stocked bar, the Bloody Mary's are fantastic (if you enjoy a good Bloody then you know how hard it is to find restaurants or bars that can actually make them right), and the large coffee mugs are also a winner because you don't have to keep asking your waiter to fill you up every 3 minutes. Overall, I would endure the breakfast/brunch crowd again, because at the end of the day we all just want great food and service, which Cafe Zola provide once you finally get a table. If your travels ever bring you to Ann Arbor, MI home of University of Michigan, then I recommend this hidden gem.
(4)
Kent H.
A few weeks ago me the mrs. and stella went to visit my alma mater and a very good friend who, like us, recently had a baby decided to have brunch at Cafe Zola. The only reason why I mention everybody is because the place was packed and we were warned that they might not have two high chairs for the lil ones. So we waited. When we were seated they found two high chairs and we ordered a few bloody mary's. Whoa. SPICY. My wife ordered an omelette, my friend ordered the salmon hash, which looked really freakin' good, and my friend's wife ordered something that got lost in the mix and so we all got served while she had to wait. This is the only reason why I am giving 4 stars and not 5. I ordered huevos rancheros with chorizo sausage and let me tell you it was the best huevos ranchero I've ever had! There was so much of it I couldn't finish, but I really really wanted to. I think Stella liked it too as I periodically fed her some egg that wasn't exposed to anything else. She chomped like a champ, which leads me to believe she picked up my nuanced taste buds! All in all the decor is great, the food better, and the service worse. I hope to be back 5 years later at a U of M football game in hopes to be reunited with the HR.
(4)
Will K.
I like Cafe Zola. I went for dinner with a group of my coworkers after a long day at work. But everyone seems to be reviewing Cafe Zola for brunch. This place reminded me of home in Northern California. It doesn't feel like Ann Arbor at all. It's a quaintly decorated cafe with attentive staff. With that being said, the food was solid, but overpriced. I'm not quite sure why so many places in Ann Arbor think they can charge NY and SF prices, because their rent surely isn't as high. I had a lemon pasta as my main dish and the Stilton salad to start. The salad was amazing but the pasta was just okay. I have to admit -- $20 for pasta with no protein is outrageous. I asked for some chicken in it and it was another $7.
(4)
Evelyn T.
A good place to go. I was apprehensive at first when I saw how crowded it was but we did have reservations and I had heard good things about Cafe Zola. I tried the argentine style steak with chimichurri with potatoes and it was tasty. I ordered it medium rare and it was done to my satisfaction. The chimichurri sauce on the side is really good and goes very well with the steak. I thought the servers were nice. Everybody in our party left the restaurant content.
(4)
C.J. W.
Magically delicious! Cafe Zola presents a breakfast excursion parallel to no other. From the unrivaled freshly brewed iced tea (which varies from tropical flavors to natural green teas), to their Southwestern Omelette which exemplifies the perfect blend of spices, cream, peppers, tomatoes and wondrous textures. (By the way... add every single ingredient possible from Havarti to Chorizo. It makes every bite worth living!) If you're in the mood for a richly flavored omelette, try the Duxelles. The wild porcini mushroom sauce is incredible! Last but not least, if there ever was a sandwich for you to devour, it would be their grilled ham and havarti cheese sandwich. Perfectly flavored, truly rewarding! Cafe Zola is the ultimate treat for the breakfast connoisseur and while I've experienced nearly every A2 breakfast menagerie from Angelo's to Broken Egg, Cafe Marie's to Gandy Dancer brunch... nothing truly compares to Cafe Zola.
(5)
Dee C.
Just went here earlier today and this place had about an hour wait. I guess this could be because it was homecoming week. It was absolutely packed here and they were seating as soon as a table got up. This place is obviously packed for a reason! It wad almost getting to a point where it was getting hard to talk to each other because it was loud. Nutella banana crepes: chocolate-hazelnut spread, ice cream, banana slices, toasted almonds, creme chantilly and raspberry sauce. This was an amazing crepe! I loved every moment of it and the ice cream was the perfect touch to it! Fresh squeezed orange juice really means fresh squeezed. It felt absolutely refreshing to drink it. Rosemary potatoes. Some of the potatoes were burnt and it did not have all that much flavor. I think they need to be cut smaller or do hasbrowns. The service was a little slow, and some of the things could have gone better, but overall had some really great food. I would go back!
(4)
Jennifer V.
I've been here for both brunch and dinner, and I've gotta say that I definitely prefer their brunch. Their dinner is good, but their brunch is superb. I wasn't overly impressed with their dinner selection. I've had a couple of different entrees (once I had pasta, the other time, I can't remember), and both times it seemed a bit bland. The brunch, on the other hand, is excellent. I generally get their Americana breakfast - simple and straightforward. The eggs are cooked to perfection, and I usually have bacon with it. What makes the breakfast, though, are the potatoes. Yum!! The only issue I have with Zola is that their portions are on the small side for their prices. I don't come here often, typically for this reason. If I want a larger brunch for the same price, I'll generally go to Zingerman's Roadhouse or a coney.
(4)
Martha V.
A friend and I stopped in for lunch during the Ann Arbor art fair and really enjoyed ourselves. The food and service were both really good - and there is something to be said for that during the art fair when restaurants are packed with more than the usual number of diners for a meal. We both had salad and were very pleased (and full). We had a hard time choosing what to eat - the crepes look outstanding so I may have to try one on my next visit. I will be back with my husband for sure.
(4)
Sandy M.
I really like this restaurants very much. Had lunch there today excellent food and service. Has anyone noticed that there are no male employees. Strange.
I will jump through hoops of flame to eat Cafe Zola's Turkish egg breakfast. It's a fresh and flavorful array of feta, spinach, cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes that is simply delicious. Sometimes you can't beat honest and fresh food. Try the Russian Caravan tea if you can too. It tastes really strong and smokey, I feel like I'm sipping wood. This may sound gross, but I assure you, It's fantastic. The big downside to this place is the noise! This place is LOUD. Eat outside if you can! It gets busy fast, and everyone is packed together in way too small of a space. The atmosphere will probably cause you to have a flashback to your elementary school cafeteria. Except with much better food.
(4)
Ashley B.
Yes, it's delicious. Worth the wait to get seated, the slow staff and the likelihood of being surrounded by the who's who of Ann Arbor pretension and wannabe hipsters? Sometimes.
(3)
Emily F.
I had a bad experience at Cafe Zola. I will admit though, i am not rating the food, i am rating the service. I was in town to visit my sister who attends the University of Michigan and we wanted to go out for a nice brunch. I called Cafe Zola while we were driving over, and they told me the wait would be about 15 minutes. We parked the car, and when we arrived at the restaurant, it couldn't have been more than six or seven minutes until we actually walked in, the hostess told me there would be over an hour wait. I explained that I had just called and driven over because she said the wait would be fifteen minutes, and she said I needed to wait like everybody else. We waited almost an hour, and when that time had passed the hostess told us that the wait would still be an hour, and she was not very nice about it. I'm all for waiting for a delicious brunch, but she was so rude. There is no need to be rude to customers, and this really hit a nerve with me because we were being incredibly nice and understanding. We ended up leaving and having a delightful brunch somewhere else. I will not go back to Cafe Zola because I do not not like being treated like a nuisance when I am a willing, paying customer.
(1)
Jasmine L.
Awesome brunch place just off Main Street. My aunt raved about this French-y bistro brunch cafe, so before herding my sister off to catch her train at noon, we all went here Sunday morning. (Holy crap at the line outside, by the way. Prepare to spend about 30 minutes milling around.) First off - best coffee, hands down, that I've had in a long long time. I got the cafe latte and it was creamy, caffeinated goodness. Yum. My sister got the soy cafe au lait and oh man - it came out with an empty cup the size of a pool, and two little bottles, one brimming with foamed soy milk, and the other steaming with freshly brewed coffee. To say that it was exceptional is an understatement. Ah, but we need to talk about the food. I got the omelette duxelles, my sister got the frittata zola, my aunt got the turkish delight, and my cousin got the banana and strawberry crepes. OH THE BOUNTIFUL DELICIOUSNESS! My omelette was chockful of sauteed mushrooms and the porcini sauce is divine. (Only thing - I couldn't see or taste any onions/shallots, which was a shame, but it didn't take away from the taste.) The egg was thick and fluffy - so fluffly that it makes me want to ask for a two egg omelette next time. And I asked for vermont cheddar inside the omelette, which I have decided is my new favorite cheese. The frittata zola is basically an egg-sweet potato-crouton-onion pizza, with a thin, thin "open-faced" egg bottom. Divine. Glorious chunks of goat cheese were strewn on the top. The Turkish delight is a spinach and feta cheese (chunk) fiesta with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes on the side WITH two fried/sunnyside eggs nestled right on top of the feta cheese. And man, that crepe was just bursting with fruity goodness. The only downside was that it came with three ginormous blooms of creme fraiche on top, which, given that my cousin is only 8 years old, would send her right into cardiac arrest. The exposed brick walls and teeny photogapher lights only help to heighten the feeling that you are in a Parisian bistro, oddly transplanted in the middle of campus town. The waitresses are awesome - especially considering that the shop is crammed full of chattering people - and they can memorize all of the orders perfectly, no pad or pencil needed. Needless to say, this has become a spot that I need to frequent every time I visit Ann Arbor. (Oh and another clincher? Along with my omelette came a side of hot Zingermen's bread. YUMM!)
(5)
Sarah A.
I hate standing in line. I mean, I HATE standing in line...but waiting for brunch at Cafe Zola is so worth the agony of listening to the rest of the people waiting stand around and be self important. I took a Zola virgin there yesterday for my personal favorite menu item: smoked salmon omelette. That omelette never ceases to amaze me, in fact I had previously been reluctant to try new things on the menu because of the sheer joy I experience while eating this thing! We added spinach and avocado to the omelette because at Zola, you can add pretty much whatever you want to your eggs. It should go without saying that spinach and avocado are fine companions for smoked salmon omelettes! We also ordered a french press of the Ethiopian roast coffee. Yummy, rich, dark caffeinated goodness. I love that I can go to a restaurant and get a full french press just like I would make myself at home. Drip coffee is so not the same...especially in a high-end brunch joint! So go to Zola, but be prepared to wait forever and a day if you have a party of more than two.
(5)
Alexandra M.
I have been waiting a very long time to go to Cafe Zola, and have heard again and again how delicious their food is. Today was the day; my friends and I were going to kick off a beautiful sunny day with brunch and we were really excited about the menu options and the whole atmosphere of the restaurant. I ordered the Frittata Zola and my friend ordered the Antipasto Sandwich. Though the meal was delicious going down, the two of us paid for it for the rest of the day... OH AND A COKE IS 2.50 and regular coffee is 3.15. wtf.
(1)
Nandini V.
I love the food here, especially the brunch options. The hot chocolate is to die for (and will probably kill you if you drink it too often). I just wish the wait time wasn't forever.
(4)
Jackie B.
Revised, January 1, 2013: Cafe Zola is THE place for brunch/lunch in Ann Arbor. My husband and I eat there for brunch about three Saturdays out of each month. The omelets are big enough for two, and they're happy to give a second plate. For an extra charge, they will divide it in the kitchen and add extra potatoes and toast for the second plate (not actually necessary unless you both love toast or crave carbs). The smoked salmon omelette (with a lovely mustard sauce) is the most expensive (around $15) and the best, although I am becoming increasingly enamored of the Southwestern omelette and also like the mushroom (duxelles) omelette. Soups are always good (my favorites are creamy tomato and ribolita), and most of the sandwiches, are, too. This is one of the few places I will eat a burger out (which means it's at least as good as we make at home). GREAT fries! For breakfast egg dishes that come with breakfast potatoes, you can substitute fries if you want (I often do, since they are so good--the best around). They come with spicy mayo and a house-made ketchup. They put white table cloths on the tables around 3-4pm, and the prices go up (even for the same burgers), and the pricey entrees come out. It's usually good for dinner, though a tad pricey for every day. I recommend the lamb chops *very* highly! For New Years Eve, they put together a special menu (and even higher prices) and have a party. This year, I had osso bucco again (foodie comfort food), and my husband had a wild mushroom and truffle pasta dish--both were great! We split a baby octopus appetizer and a blood orange, greens, marcona almond salad, which were also excellent. There are two seating periods for New Years Eve, and I recommend going for the later one (which begins at 8:00), whether you're staying for the party or not. It's more festive, and I think the service is better. I heartily recommend Cafe Zola for breakfast, brunch, or lunch any day of the week (but expect a lengthy wait if you go before 1pm on weekends). Dinner is really good, too, and none of the meals, especially dinner, are for the budget-conscious, though I did recently split an omelette with a friend, and we got the extra potatoes and toast; with a drink, my half of the entire bill was only $13, which is downright cheap for Zola.
(4)
Brad D.
It has been pretty good in the past, but this past experience my service was not great, and the food was average.....then, the bill came. BAM. Very expensive.
(2)
Mei O.
As everyone chowed on their breakfast around me, happy and talking, I realized I wish I had ordered anything but my dish, the mushroom savory crepe. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I've had better crepes. It was on the dry side, and needed something else. But I tasted Andrew's Blitz crepe, a sweet crepe, and that was so yummy. The waffles and omelettes were huge and everyone who had one seemed to enjoy their meal. Maybe better luck next time? The prices were also a little high, but you do get a lot of food.
(4)
Michael F.
Zola is, bar none, my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. We go there as often as possible. I think the important thing to know about Zola is that it is really two very different restaurants: a brunch/lunch spot featuring crepes, sandwiches and awesome egg dishes, plus a cozy bistro with great cocktails and a range of delicious dishes from braised lamb shank to spaghetti and meatballs TO DIE FOR. Since it seems that most other reviewers have already covered the brunch scene, I will focus on the joys of Zola for dinner. Zola offers a warm somewhat subdued atmosphere during the week, but is hopping on Saturday nights. The waitstaff is far and above any other Ann Arbor eatery. Bar none. They are typically prompt, friendly, knowledgeable about the food and attentive without hovering. The food at Zola runs a wide range from rather simple fare like salmon burgers and the aforementioned spaghetti and meatballs, to more complex dishes like scallops in a beet reduction. Steaks include a chimichurri which is accompanied by a pesto that makes the meat sing. Ravioli with brown butter and sage is mouthwatering. Often they have a whole fish cooked in parchment, which is always cooked to perfection. Their seared tuna with wasabi and coconut rice adds an asian flavor to the menu. Each dish is complex and presented with a flair that make even the simpler dishes shine. The menu includes a good selection of pasta, fish and meat dishes. The amount of food is ample and can be complemented by several delicious salads that can be shared as appetizers. I must take a moment to say a word about Zola's cocktails which are outstanding. The martinis in particular, seem pricey, but are accompanied by a shaker that contains at least 3 drinks! I suggest their sidecar or the martini frida, which looks like xmas. Zola has uniformly been a pleasant dining experience for us. That is saying alot in Ann Arbor where service is typically spotty even at the higher end restaurants. The food is special enough for us to feel like it goes beyond what we could do at home. I think no restaurant in Ann Arbor exceeds Zola for a pleasurable dining experience.
(5)
Stella R.
Often at Zola's for breakfast. Like the food, but always feel like my credit card cries a little afterwards... My last bill was $30+ for two people and all that we had was a few teas, oatmeal and fruit. We're pretty comfortable and it is a nice setting, but that just didn't set right with me. Now I'm looking more for other options.
(3)
Haroun K.
I agree with anyone who rates Zola far and above Felix. It's much much better. I went there for Brunch this past Sunday, my first time there. Although I was reaaaaaaaally hungover, I enjoyed my crepe very much, as did my friend. I got a savory one, and he got a sweet one. The lemonade I had was ok. The service was surprisingly quick, which I did not expect after checking out the reviews. Though when my knife fell, it took about 7-8 minutes to get a clean one! My main qualm was the price. My crepe was worth the 6 dollars, but the lemonade was around 3 dollars, and it wasn't worth 3 dollars. Oh well.
(4)
Michael B.
If you're going to do brunch in Ann Arbor, do it right! Don't go to the Gandy Dancer...don't go Afternoon Delight...run, don't walk, to Cafe Zola! I've been here so many times, I can't even express the joy I have when I think about it. Delicious Chicken Sandwich and crazy good fries, and top it off with their own homemade ketchup! My boyfriend swears by the omelettes and hasn't found a place in New York that even compares. Your tea and coffee comes in a french press...so great. The staff is friendly and super efficient (at least when I've been there). Honestly...I'm sure they exist, but I have yet to find a brunch place in the US that makes me as happy as Zola does. I can't speak for dinner...I've actually heard it's nothing to write home about...but their brunch MORE than makes up for it :)
(5)
Paul B.
Sorry to be punitive but it's hard to give more than a 1 given we never got to sit down and enjoy a meal. The reservation was for 10 of us at 11am on a Sunday AM and was told it'd be a wait. Fine; it's hard to get tables cleared right on time, so it's understandable it wouldn't be immediate. So we wait a bit. But then a bit becomes a while and we check in with the hostess again. Eventually they call a reservationless party of 10 ahead of us with the hostess saying "Sorry, they've been waiting an hour and a half." We asked if the rest of the people that arrived before us but that didn't have reservations would also have priority and were met with dismissal. So we left to find a new place that could accommodate our relatively-large group (not an easy task, and not so fun when you're hungry). The moral of the story is if you take reservations, operate your business as such so that you can honor them; otherwise don't take reservations and do first come, first served.
(1)
Diana S.
This place was delicious and a total calorie splurge. I had the waffles with coconut and vanilla ice cream on top. It was so decadent and I felt so guilty afterwards...guilty that I couldn't finish the last bite! yum yum yum! I love obnoxiously hearty breakfast. The place was super cute and the staff was great. Loved it!
(4)
Lisa L.
This place got super busy -- may have something to do with the Michigan Minnesota game that day, but never the less, there was a line out the door and it was about 10am. I guess I was a little confused due to my West Coast time confusion, since I was just recently sleeping on a plane prior to landing and eating breakfast at Cafe Zola's. I had an amazing autumn omelette with REALLY good coffee. Usually the house coffee sucks, but this time, I was impressed... Les had the asparagus and goat cheese omelette. That one was good too... The lines tell you something! It's not just a co-in-keeee-dink. :)
(4)
Rala S.
This place is awesome. They secretly take reservations if you have a party of 6 or more, and the atmosphere is fantastic. There will usually be a wait on weekends at mid-morning, but it's worth it. Crepes are fantastic and so are the omelets. Coffee is delicious and they have a wide-range of tea, hot cocoa etc.
(5)
Victor C.
PROS: Food full of flavor, dishes different from what you'll find elsewhere in Ann Arbor, nice atmosphere, great selection of coffee served in french press pots CONS: Brunch-time wait can be long (but no different than any other good breakfast spot in Ann Arbor), service is usually spotty - the servers are pleasant, but it seems they have too many tables to handle all the time RECOMMENDED DISHES: For dinner, the Chimchurri Tango and Wild Mushroom Pasta are both very good. For brunch, most all the omelettes and crepes are great (try the Autumn Omelette) AVOID: Better waffles can be had elsewhere ATMOSPHERE: Nice decor and feel, great windows and lighting, can be noisy PRICE RANGE: Dinner entrees are $13 - $29. Brunch main dishes are around $9 or $10 BASED ON: Numerous visits ONE MORE THING: If you've been to Zola for brunch and think it is overrated or too expensive, go for dinner sometime. We think you'll be impressed.
(5)
Peter S.
Amen to Evan M's review. It's the one I'd write if he hadn't already covered things perfectly - Mine was for 12/24/09 - same Holiday crowd - very good food and service once we were seated (group of 11). Very nice feel to the place. It's worth seeking out. Lucky Ann Arbor!
(4)
Dave Y.
the brunch here is probably the best one around. it gets really crowded on weekends and you often have to wait a while, but it's totally worth it. they serve pretty authentic french-style food. the crepes are some of the best i've had outside of france, and their coffees, especially when made in french presses, are superb. it's also a beautiful and pleasant environment. this is definitely one of ann arbor's gems
(5)
S K.
Would give it 4 stars for breakfast but only 2-3 for dinner, partially because of the service. My salmon burger was great, though I received it after everyone else in my party had finished their 'meh' entrees.
(3)
Laura K.
The first time I went to Zola, it was great. I had the scallops in a beet wine reduction, and it was fantastic. The second time I went there, I ordered fish. There were so many tiny bones in the fish that I couldn't take a bite without crunching on them. I've also been there for brunch, and found my asparagus omelet extremely bland. It's way too inconsistent for the price!
(3)
David N.
I visited on a busy Sunday morning. We had made reservations but an additional two people show up. The hostess was clearly annoyed. After waiting for an additional 30 minutes, we were seated. The attitude from the hostess was on constant display. I ordered the Farmhouse Omelette and the Nutella Babanna Crepe with some green tea. The red skin potatoes were so heavily spiced that I couldn't taste the potato. The omelette was bland. I thought it may have needed salt but adding that didn't help. The omelette wasn't bad though. Just a little bland. The nutella bananna was very good. The green tea with jasmine served in a tea press was bitter. Overall, I wouldn't visit this restaurant again. The atmosphere was nice and the waitress did a good job keeping up with everyone (although the ice water was often warm and without ice) but the food didn't suit my taste and the attitude shown by the host staff didn't leave me feel valued as a customer.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Attossa C.
I used to visit semi-regularly for the brunch. Would go more often if I had the time. Went for dinner on mother's day. It was my first time having dinner there. Will, our server, was awesome. The food was very good. The bread and olives that were brought out were great. Everything tastes fresh, all the flavors tasted on purpose. I'm a fan.
(5)Nicole P.
I guess I won't be a hipster and put down a place that has had more positive reviews in reputable publications like the NY Times than most any other restaurant in this area but...I like it. I've been here twice at this point; both times for weekend brunch. It was extremely busy both days, but there was little to no wait. Yes, it gets crowded in this place and there is very little room to move around. If you have a problem with small walkways, this isn't your place. If you're familiar with the words "excuse me", check it out. Both times (because I'm apparently an old man who enjoys a routine) I had the Crepe Zola. It was great and tasted just as good the second time as it had the first time. My friends tried the Florentine Crepe and the Ratatouille Crepe, as well as a house salad, some sort of side order of red skin potatoes, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, espresso, and Turkish coffee. Having two grown men tell me that they were surprisingly full after a crepe, added to the fact that I was unable to finish either of mine (each on separate visits), makes me feel like the crepes are indeed wholesome and good. From what I heard about the beverages, they're pretty impressive if you consider yourself knowledgable in coffee/espresso. I'm not a big dog so I stayed on the porch and had raspberry iced tea. Cool place altogether. I will definitely return.
(4)Donna F.
Ordered a breakfast item, and it was just ok. Sat outside, and service was good.
(3)Mitch M.
In a word: Pretentious. This place typically has a long wait to get food (Ann Arbor is filled with pretentious yuppies who eat this stuff up), and after the usually rude wait staff has seated you prepare your eyes for a menu that is lacking in almost every way. Oh, except in price. They sure know how to take every dollar they can from people. Essentially, you're paying for the status of saying "I went to Cafe Zola for brunch" ... and if you're in such desperate need to feel good about yourself that way, why not at least have some enjoyable food? I'm not saying their food is bad, per say, it's just an ... acquired taste. What's most disappointing is that they cater exclusively to the yuppie crowd and if the kind of food these people eat isn't what you're looking for, why go to their yuppie treehouse? There is a restaurant in the South Loop in Chicago called Yolk which is similar in some ways, but has better food, better prices and a better staff. If you're from Chicago and know of Yolk and go to Cafe Zola expecting similarities, prepare to be greatly disappointed. I truly wish Cafe Zola would take some lessons from Yolk. I've been here for brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks... A lot of my friends like it (and these friends are as stuck up as they come). After paying $15.00 for a waffle last time I went, I decided it was time to just say no. I encourage anyone who hasn't been to do the same: just say no to Cafe Zola.
(1)Julie H.
Ehhh... Maybe we ordered the wrong things...or my palate wasn't too thrilled...thinking back, we had one of their savory crepes - the ratouielle and it really didn't have much flavor. We also ordered a frittata - which didn't taste like anything to me either... Plus - they're on the pricey side....next time, I'll have a dessert crepe... Till then, 2 stars for their endearing space.
(2)Taryl M.
Stopped in for breakfast on a Friday morning and it was surprisingly busy! I thought about getting an orange juice but $5.50 for a small glass I decided to pass! I ordered the French toast on cinnamon raisen bread and it was delicious! It didn't come with any sides which was a bit of a bummer since personally I would have preferred a smaller portion with a side. Overall I really liked the vibe and character of the restaurant and would definitely return if back in Ann Arbor!
(4)Saleem M.
Brunch was hit or miss for my table of 4. My friends' bloody marys took 15 minutes, and when my latte hadn't come by 20 minutes, it was explained to me that "espresso drinks sometimes take a bit of time." I would have appreciated the real response, "Oh I forgot to put it in, I'll get right on it". The food took forever, and two of my friends did not enjoy it at all. The restaurant is redeemed by a visit I made a week later for dinner, which was much more pleasant (if not expensive)
(3)Ashley Z.
My husband and I went for brunch on a Sunday morning around 10:30am. He ordered a coffee and I ordered a decaf latte, both were wonderful and came quickly. We were really hungry and couldn't make up our minds right away so we decided to split a croissant ($3) while we kept reading the menu. It was a huge, delicious, almond croissant from a local bakery (The Croissant Shop). It was definitely a good idea to munch on while sipping our coffee and choosing our meal. He ended up getting the Savory Complete Crepe and I got the Kendrick's Favorite Crepe. I grew up eating very sweet crepes with strawberries, powdered sugar and the fix'ns but I really enjoyed this light crepe. I got a side of strawberries because I wasn't sure if it would've been too plain on it's own. It really didn't need the strawberries afterall. We were both starving and left full. In fact, I'd say that in the future, we could've gotten coffee, split a croissant and a single crepe dish and left satisfied. We really enjoyed sitting outside and our wait was only 10 minutes. (It was really busy). The only thing I'd change is that our waitress was not wearing very much clothing. That seemed kinda odd and distracting. Otherwise, great service and great food! We will be back!
(5)Sutirtha B.
I was out here for dinner with 3 colleagues of mine from the university for dinner. I did not have a good experience at all at the restaurant though I will acknowledge that my fellow diners may have had a somewhat better experience than I had. What did not go well: A: Service: Not much to complain about, other than the fact that they took away our bread plates even when we were not done with having bread. All of my 3 colleagues ended up taking the bread and having it without a plate in front. That could have been better. And the other thing in terms of service which was a bummer was that we were on official business and our admin person had made reservations with the restaurant and had arranged to have it paid by P-card (the University of Michigan's payment system for vendors). And yet when one of us was about to sign the bill, the waitress came up and said that the P-card number wasn't correct. Knowing our admin person, it is unlikely that she had made a mistake and it is much more likely that the restaurant had not gotten it right. But finally the food itself. The portions were OK but it was my main entree which killed the whole thing for me. I had ordered scallops with spinach and there is just no other way to say it - the scallops were charred pretty bad. When I bit into the first one, I was quite surprised to see that it was charred but then as I took a second one, I realized that the same was true of it as well. And then for all of my remaining scallops, I tried to remove the portions which were charred and have the rest. Doesn't work so well, in case you didn't know. And so, I ended up having 6-8 scallops which were largely burnt. And what is worse is that not once, I kid you not, not once did the waitress come and ask us about the food. Places which charge half the price as Cafe Zola's will have people stop by at least once during your meal to ask you about your experience and sadly, they did not come by even once. If they had, I would have been tempted to return my plate - it was really that bad. Oh and the last thing - since I knew that I was going to this place for dinner and had planned on having the Lobster Ravioli that was listed on their online menu. Guess what, they don't serve the ravioli at all. Would have been good to know because in that event, I would have chosen a different restaurant such as Real Seafood Company. Very very disappointed overall with how things turned out at every step.
(1)Robert C.
Tucked away on Washington Street, Cafe Zola is one of Ann Arbor's overlooked gems. The curved, stone bar at Cafe Zola is one of city's best places to eat or drink, allowing regulars to gather and guests to watch the comings and goings in this cozy space. Drinks are always made to perfection, and the selection includes a mix of classic cocktails and new inventions, such as the Midnight Manhattan (made with port instead of Vermouth). The service is consistently good, and the food matches in quality. Admittedly, I'll often skip the main dishes and go for a mix of starters, including: the Bruschetta Zola, the Stilton Salad, and the Blue Crab Cakes with Smoky Paprika Aioli and Citrus Chutney. To experience Ann Arbor's best french fries, order them "off menu" at Cafe Zola. They come with homemade ketchup and garlic mayo for dipping. The fries suit whatever you're ordering, whether it's an omelette, the Chimichuri Tango, or a Martini. Zola's biggest fault, admittedly, is the lack of new items to the menu. While consistency is appreciated, it would be nice to see some seasonal additions. Whether for drinks, dinner, or brunch, Cafe Zola is well worth the visit.
(5)Irene L.
I've been here for brunch a few times, and the quality seems to vary depending on who's working and how busy the place is (usually quite busy when I go). When it's good.... it is GOOD. When it's an off day... it isn't horrible, but "I am paying HOW MUCH for this overcooked omelette?" tends to come up in my head a few times... Typically I am more into the umami/savory brunch, but the time I risked straying from my usual choices and got a waffle, I was not disappointed! It was light and fluffy on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside. Perfection!
(4)Jaron O.
I enjoyed everything about this place, I'm just giving it 4 stars because I think it seemed a bit overpriced to me. I had an omelette that was really tasty, but no omelette should be $13 in my opinion (to be fair, most of them were $11 or $12, but that's still kinda steep, no?). Otherwise, friendly service, great food and beverages (bloody mary was killiin'), and a solid commitment to fresh organic ingredients has a big thumbs up from me. Plus I love a place that serves breakfast until 3pm :).
(4)Dea A.
Settle down for breakfast with a savory buckwheat crepe and a French press filled with delicious coffee. Or do a delicious and extravagant Gabus waffle with chocolate sauce and a scoop of ice cream with a carafe of hot jasmine tea. The chef that started the restaurant specialized in breakfast and it shows. The batters are excellent. The waffles are as they should be, truly Belgian style, light and crispy. The crepes closely resemble the savory Galettes de sarrasin and the more Americanized dessert crepes.
(5)Mark E.
Really nice food and very interesting menu, with good sandwich and salad options. Great tea and coffee options. For the most part, I heartily recommend Zola. The only thing I will say is that the acoustics of the main dining room are not conducive to conversation - extremely noisy when it is busy, which it usually is. Personal faves include the Kobe burger, the grilled chicken sandwich, the pomme frites (when not overdone, which occasionally they are.) My wife likes the Turkish eggs and the teas. I should note that I'm talking almost entirely about brunch/lunch as I've only eaten here for dinner once (I recall was quite good.)
(4)Amy B.
I have been to Cafe Zola several times over the last several years. The tables are small and you may sit close to other diners, but that doesn't bother me and it seems quite European or cafe style to me. It's a popular place, but I have never had a long wait (I think it depends on what time of day/day of the week you go). The bathrooms are modern and clean and the paper towels are plush and fabulous! I am always glad to see a well maintained restroom at a restaurant. The service has always been fine - no problems. I haven't had any over the top fantastic service, but it hasn't been below average, either. I'd say the service was good, but I'm sorry to say that I don't really have high expectations for really, really great service in Ann Arbor. I never experienced it while I lived there or any time I've been back to visit. The coffees are really great. On our most recent visit my husband had a mocha and he said it was really good and he can be pretty particular about his specialty coffee. I had a soy decaf cappuccino and I'd give that on it's own 5 stars. It totally hit the spot and was a very well made coffee. Our water glasses were frequently refilled (very important to me and this makes me happy!). I had the Crepe Zola and it was very good with yummy mozzarella, tomato, basil, and topped with a small drizzle of creme fraiche. The crepe is a nice option because it's light and fresh, but also fills me up and doesn't leave me hungry or overly full. I've also had the salad with salmon a few times before and have always enjoyed that, too. My husband had a Kobe burger before and he recalled it being very tasty, but messy. This time he had the salmon omelet and I had a few bites and it had truly excellent flavor. I did not have to use salt or pepper on any of my food, and I am constantly reaching for the pepper, so I think it speaks to how well put together the menu options are and that they are properly seasoned. The bread and butter is really lovely, but I'm not sure how many patrons actually have room for the bread and butter, since the other items on the menu are really delicious and satisfying. One of our friends got the crab cake Benedict and it looked so great and she seemed to enjoy it very much. She also got grilled asparagus, which I tried and that was also very good - - asparagus exactly how it should be cooked! I love to visit Cafe Zola when I come back to Ann Arbor and it seems to be the place to meet old friends for brunch. Any time I know I'll be in Ann Arbor, Cafe Zola is the first place that comes to mind for a nice breakfast, brunch or lunch. Oh, and when the weather is nice, there is outdoor seating, which is fun.
(5)Maya B.
LOVE this place. Food is delicious and fresh. Server was super knowledgable and friendly, drinks were amazing. Can't say enough good things - lots of healthy options - cannot wait for Zola Bistro to open!
(5)Annalisa B.
Few things in life are better than a relaxing summer patio zolas brunch. The omlettes are divine, but the best part is not just the French press coffee, but the soy chai. Unlike any other I have ever had. Just brilliant.
(5)Shon C.
This is a little weird for me. I actually really like this place and go pretty often, but I can't bring myself to to give it 4 stars. I would say Zola fits in the 3.5 range. Here's the deal: Zola has great brunch, if you can afford it. That's the primary problem, it's very expensive. Sure, I appreciate fresh-squeezed orange juice and quality champagne in my Mimosa, but I'm not sure I want to pay $8 for it. Similarly, I love the smoked salmon crepe, but $12.95? Come on. Again, quality smoked salmon, crepe is always beautiful, great texture and flavor, but perhaps still a bit over-priced. I've noticed a lot of posts discuss the service; I actually haven't found it to be all that bad. They may not be as fast to fill your coffee as Northside (see my review, love Northside!), but when it arrives the coffee is great. Nobody has been overtly rude to me, and I'm generally seated pretty quickly when it's not busy. They tend not to seat parties until everyone is present, which has been a problem for me more than once. But I got over it with some Turkish Eggs, so no biggie. Pros: Yummy Turkish Eggs, Crepes, drinks, coffee, great ambiance, lively crowd, awesome location in downtown Ann Arbor Cons: Expensive, average service, usually a decent wait for weekend brunch
(3)Monika S.
Great food. Attentive staff. They recognize their steady customers.
(5)Charles J.
Such a yummy lunch spot! I've only ever had the dinner (also succulent) and finally had time to come in for lunch. I had the Summer in Provence salad with the most delicious vinaigrette I've ever had! The combination of goat cheese, roasted red peppers and mushrooms on a salad is superb. I also had a mojito that was perfectly minty and refreshing. My date had the crepe Zola and it was the perfect pairing of tomatos and mozzerella and light fluffy crepe - if you're in Ann Arbor, you have to try this place, it's definitely one of the best!
(5)Bernadette C.
Great place for brunch. I tried the crepes, which was made quite well, tasty, and healthy. I appreciate that they didn't add gallons of oil and butter into their crepe batter. While the bf and I didn't order too many things off the menu that day, I did appreciate the coffee. It's hard to get good coffee in Ann Arbor (trust me!!) and this place was reminiscent of the coffee shops back in Berkeley. Next time I'm going to try their Turkish delight - it's a plate of eggs with cheese, olives, tomatoes, and problem some other random veggies. Whatever it has in it, it looked GREAT when the people next to us ordered it, and the plate was huge! I was also pleasantly surprised by the style and decor of the cafe. It has a very relaxed feel. Homey, but trendy at the same time. It's gets busy as the brunch hours go by, so I suggest getting there a little earlier (that's like 11 for me =P) One negative note, though, is if you go, wear casual clothes. The smell of the food really sticks to whatever you're wearing. So if you're thinking about the super nice jacket you bought for $$$, don't bring it into the restaurant!
(4)Anabelle O.
My absolute favorite restaurant and I'm from LA. The goat cheese adriatica and Emile's arugula salad are both so delicious and my bf loves the burger. Also a perfect brunch spot. Love love love!!
(5)Jonas L.
Zola, I'm bored with you. Tonight, I was going to go out for a special meal. You have been my usual choice, for both brunch and dinner. But I want something new. Yes, the brunch is great. The omelette duxelles you have is absolutely delicious (but people who are conscientious of animal rights should be aware that it's made with veal stock). Your coffee is among the best in town. And that homemade ketchup is damn good. By the way, when I say I want my omelette not so well done, I mean that I want the inside to be runny, even if that gives me salmonella. Yes, the dinner is solid. Your non-red-meat-dishes are so-so. But the lamb and steak entrees make murder so tasty. However, you really should train your staff better. Once, your server recommended me a Sauvignon Blanc that she has never tasted, and it was ehhh. Next time, I'm calling the owner/sommelier over. Even though I say these nice things about you, deep down inside, I think we're done. Not like done-done, forever, but you won't be my go-to place anymore. I've experienced nearly everything on the dish, and in all these years, you've not come up with one new thing. Sorry, I need something new, something adventurous, something different. We can still hook up every now and then for brunch, but that's about it.
(4)Debbie H.
When did Zola earn the 5-star rating from Deb and I? How soon after I tasted the smoked salmon omelette did the stars begin adding up? Was it just a single bite after tasting the fluffy, perfectly cooked egg, the fresh salmon, the palate-satisfying mustard sauce or the seasoned potatoes that we were seeing stars? Maybe it was only after trying Deb's strawberry and banana waffle with real whipped cream (and realizing a one-bite "I'll just try it" promise was going to border on impossible) that the rating climbed. Could've been the terrific lemonade and tea ... Or the outstanding, cheerful service (Katrina) ... Or, or actually who cares? I guess all that matters is that everything that goes into a place earning five stars, Zola accomplished in short order. We were heading to the hospital at UofM for a less-than-pleasant morning and afternoon but Zola helped get us off on the right foot with a more-than-pleasant breakfast. We'll be back.
(5)O L.
For any weekend brunch, this place is packed and busy. I expected a wait when I arrived since there were so many people outside, but my friend and I actually got seated right away. There was a slight sense of guilt, but that quickly passed once I got my coffee. The restaurant can get loud and tight with so many customers, but as soon as the food arrives, nothing else matters. I ordered an omelette that was solid and tasty, but I want to rave about the waffles since I was pretty much taking generous bites from my friend's plate. The waffles here are absolutely amazing. I've tried many waffles and nothing comes close to Zola's. The light cake-like texture balances perfectly with the crisp crystallized sweetness of the shell. Every bite was light and refreshing and has you going back for more. It's so good, it's sinful!
(5)mariah c.
Mmmmm.... giant waffles! Ok, ok, I know Zola serves things other than waffles and crepes (see Dharma's review), but those are the items that first got me hooked on this place, and those are the reasons why I return. One of these days I'll branch out and get a salad. Today I *tried* to order a sandwich, but they were out of the ingredients. But hey, I think that was just fate urging me to stick with what I know. And I know I love big, fluffy waffles with tasty spiced fruit. I also know I can't ever finish a whole portion (the same rule is generally true for the crepes). A new summer favorite: Turkish lemonade -- with a twist of lime and fresh mint, it's even more refreshing than my regular summer standby. It's worth noting that they don't always take reservations, but will do a brunch reservation for a party of 6 or more.
(4)Christine E.
My waffle with Michigan maple syrup, strawberries and sweetened whipped cream tasted like sunshine - so light, so fluffy, just the perfect amount of sweetness. Swear to God that was hands down the best waffle I've ever had. The tea comes in this cool pot that presses down the loose tea leaves when you want to pour. Very nice Earl Grey. My mom got an omelet with goat cheese, potatoes and some other stuff that was good, but not as good as my waffle. Staff was incredibly charming. Expensive? You betcha. Delicious? Absolutely!
(5)Naren A.
This place is awesome! Love their bread and herb butter.. I had the vegetarian omelette duxelles, it was mushroom, mushroom and more mushroom, would have like something else as well, hence cut a star...:D we also had the black forest waffle and it was a stunner! The best part of my meal was the roasted pink potatoes that came with the omelette, they were out of the world... We also ordered half a pot of Chai, came in a french press with all the spices floating on top!!! Good service, Sunday morning at 11 am had a wait of 5 mins, awesome...
(4)Julie J.
Huh. Zola, I think I caught you on a bad day. Some background: I ate at Cafe Zola for the first time last week during a Holiday brunch with co-workers. There were eight of us in total, so I think it's safe to say we were a relatively large party (which is always more challenging for everyone involved). A reservation was made at least one month in advance, if not longer. Three of my co-workers and I arrived before the rest of our party. When we gave our name, we were told that we wouldn't be seated until all of our party had arrived. We had no choice (given that it was well below freezing outside) but to crowd into the small entryway to the restaurant while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. This was less than ideal for everyone because we were blocking the entrance for other patrons and inhibiting the waitstaff. Even after our additional people arrived (and the entryway became even more crowded), we continued to wait for a few minutes longer as the table was cleared. When we were finally seated, the table was clearly too small to accommodate all of us. After one of my co-workers complained, the staff quickly added another table, which helped free up some room. Even with the additional table, however, I had very little elbow room and I wasn't comfortable. The food was good. I had the open faced artichoke omelette and enjoyed it. The coffee was brewed well and I was amused by the refill containers (pretty sure you can see them in the pictures section above.) Their waffles look truly decadent. I wasn't ready for one at 2:00 on a weekday afternoon but maybe when out-of-town company visits, we can try them. I don't recommend Cafe Zola for parties larger than six people. The restaurant is physically not large enough to accommodate large groups. But I believe it has potential to be a pleasant place to have a leisurely brunch. I'll have to come back in a smaller group and try again. Although the experience was not perfect, I give the dining staff credit for doing their best to accommodate our large party. When we complained, they acted quickly to re-arrange things.
(3)Rebecca W.
Andrea B. recommends making Cafe Zola a serendipitous part of a weekday afternoon....this is precisely what SK and I did, and it worked maaaaaaarvelously. From the outside it looked a bit crowded--lots of people milling around, though it turned out some of them were just walking down the sidewalk (out of our way, pedestrians! We are hungry!). We perused the menu briefly and ducked inside--and found no wait for a party of two! It must be said, however, that the table was veery tiny, veeery right inside the door, and veeery close to the party of two next to us. Like, in moments of comfortable silence at our table, we we were basically audience to the conversation at theirs. The. Food. Was. Ridiculous. SK had the Southwest omelet with sausage--sour cream, some kind of cheese (?), and a green chili sauce that he really liked. He proclaimed the omelets "sturdy," which he meant as a compliment--they were also sufficiently fluffy. Though tempted by all the mushroomy delights (next time?), I wanted to have something really different (at least for me) and went with the Frittata Zola: an open-face omelet with carmelized onions, sweet potato cubes, goat cheese, and fluffy challah croutons. Oh. So. Good. The flavors, which had me curious but wary, blended in strange and magical ways. Another reviewer has said that she found the sweet potatoes inedibly undercooked. Mine were cooked all the way through--no crunchiness--but still very firm and bright. For the first few bites I feared that they'd be raw (and this was before I read the other review) but I grew to trust the frittata and soon relaxed. It really hit me as I was chewing my last bite that there was basically nothing "on" any of the ingredients. Egg. Onions. Sweet Potatoes. Goat cheese. An absolute minimum of sauces and spices--which made me respect the frittata all the more. On the other end of the secret herbs and spices spectrum were the roasted rosemary potatoes (which come with the three-egg omelets--v. generous portions!). Every time I turned to my taters, the first bite was unbelievable. By bite three, though, I'd be getting thirsty--they were a tad on the salty side, but still delicious and cooked perfectly. SK and I were wary of the cool, crunchy centers and mushy outsides common with such large chunks of potato. No such thing! Wonderful, consistent texture. At other tables we saw fries served in what looked like a milkshake cup (the metal kind), martinis served tableside from little shakers, and French press coffees and teas. My own coffee refill was delivered by our very nice, not aloof server (though she did disappear right when we wanted our bill) in a cute little glass carafe. It was pricier than we usually look for in a breakfast, but not unreasonable for the quantity and quality you get. This was one of the best brunches I've ever had. My only complaint is the coffee--$3.50 for regular brewed coffee? I mean, I know it's fair trade and organic and "free refills" (that's not assumed?), but still. Had I known the price ahead of time (I tend to order coffee as I sit down, not after perusing the menu) I would have gone with a cappuccino or similar--they were less than fifty cents more. Momometer: my mom would LOVE this place. If she ever comes to visit on her own or with a girlfriend, we're going. I didn't try the famous Turkish Brunch because I don't really do olives (or hard-boiled eggs for that matter). But she does both, and more, and would love it. Popometer: Sadly, this place would be totally wasted on my dad. He is a pancakes, sausage links, and maple syrup man and despite the famed waffles, I think he would find this place an expensive way to miss the point of brunch. Not to mention that it is REALLY LOUD AND CLANGY INSIDE AND YOU HAVE TO TALK LIKE THIS! He wouldn't be able to hear a damn thing, and would be annoyed by that as well. The experience would be redeemable for him if we sat outside, maybe, but I still wouldn't invest in a Zola brunch for dad. More frittata for me.
(4)Evan M.
If you want to eat breakfast/brunch at Cafe Zola especially on a Saturday or Sunday, then be ready to wait at least 30 minutes for a table because it's jam-packed. The hostess was in control, but the three other waiters who kept "playing" hostess made it frustrating for us customers who were waiting for a table because of all the confusion it caused. Not to mention, there is no real waiting area for customers, so we were packed in the front doorway like sardines and on top of other customers who were trying to enjoy their meals. This cafe is cute. It reminds me of a few small restaurants in Manhattan I have eaten in with high ceilings and exposed brick interior. However, it's a little too cozy, as tables are about a 1/2 inch from each other. On the positive, the food is great. I ordered the Farmhouse omelet, which was amazing, they have a fully stocked bar, the Bloody Mary's are fantastic (if you enjoy a good Bloody then you know how hard it is to find restaurants or bars that can actually make them right), and the large coffee mugs are also a winner because you don't have to keep asking your waiter to fill you up every 3 minutes. Overall, I would endure the breakfast/brunch crowd again, because at the end of the day we all just want great food and service, which Cafe Zola provide once you finally get a table. If your travels ever bring you to Ann Arbor, MI home of University of Michigan, then I recommend this hidden gem.
(4)Kent H.
A few weeks ago me the mrs. and stella went to visit my alma mater and a very good friend who, like us, recently had a baby decided to have brunch at Cafe Zola. The only reason why I mention everybody is because the place was packed and we were warned that they might not have two high chairs for the lil ones. So we waited. When we were seated they found two high chairs and we ordered a few bloody mary's. Whoa. SPICY. My wife ordered an omelette, my friend ordered the salmon hash, which looked really freakin' good, and my friend's wife ordered something that got lost in the mix and so we all got served while she had to wait. This is the only reason why I am giving 4 stars and not 5. I ordered huevos rancheros with chorizo sausage and let me tell you it was the best huevos ranchero I've ever had! There was so much of it I couldn't finish, but I really really wanted to. I think Stella liked it too as I periodically fed her some egg that wasn't exposed to anything else. She chomped like a champ, which leads me to believe she picked up my nuanced taste buds! All in all the decor is great, the food better, and the service worse. I hope to be back 5 years later at a U of M football game in hopes to be reunited with the HR.
(4)Will K.
I like Cafe Zola. I went for dinner with a group of my coworkers after a long day at work. But everyone seems to be reviewing Cafe Zola for brunch. This place reminded me of home in Northern California. It doesn't feel like Ann Arbor at all. It's a quaintly decorated cafe with attentive staff. With that being said, the food was solid, but overpriced. I'm not quite sure why so many places in Ann Arbor think they can charge NY and SF prices, because their rent surely isn't as high. I had a lemon pasta as my main dish and the Stilton salad to start. The salad was amazing but the pasta was just okay. I have to admit -- $20 for pasta with no protein is outrageous. I asked for some chicken in it and it was another $7.
(4)Evelyn T.
A good place to go. I was apprehensive at first when I saw how crowded it was but we did have reservations and I had heard good things about Cafe Zola. I tried the argentine style steak with chimichurri with potatoes and it was tasty. I ordered it medium rare and it was done to my satisfaction. The chimichurri sauce on the side is really good and goes very well with the steak. I thought the servers were nice. Everybody in our party left the restaurant content.
(4)C.J. W.
Magically delicious! Cafe Zola presents a breakfast excursion parallel to no other. From the unrivaled freshly brewed iced tea (which varies from tropical flavors to natural green teas), to their Southwestern Omelette which exemplifies the perfect blend of spices, cream, peppers, tomatoes and wondrous textures. (By the way... add every single ingredient possible from Havarti to Chorizo. It makes every bite worth living!) If you're in the mood for a richly flavored omelette, try the Duxelles. The wild porcini mushroom sauce is incredible! Last but not least, if there ever was a sandwich for you to devour, it would be their grilled ham and havarti cheese sandwich. Perfectly flavored, truly rewarding! Cafe Zola is the ultimate treat for the breakfast connoisseur and while I've experienced nearly every A2 breakfast menagerie from Angelo's to Broken Egg, Cafe Marie's to Gandy Dancer brunch... nothing truly compares to Cafe Zola.
(5)Emma L.
Not understanding the hype about this place. Yes the atmosphere was fun, but everything else was mediocre. I had to practically jump up and down to get the hostess to even look up at me (She didn't even respond when I said "Hi"). Our server was friendly, but the food was very overpriced. I got the crab cake benedict, which ended up being a crab cake on top of half of an english muffin, and then a fried egg on top of the other half. There was supposedly some sort of lemon sauce on top, which I couldn't taste. For $16 this should at least come with potatoes or another side. I didn't think it was anything special and was still hungry when we left. The drinks we had were great, but again slightly overpriced. Would not go back.
(2)Annie A.
What a wonderful way to spend a morning. Cafe Zola started out by making crepes, so it's no surprise that they are delectable. I ordered a smoked salmon crepe which was incredibley flavorful, yet light enough for me to still feel energized for the day. The french press coffee didn't hurt either. Pets seem to be very welcome with outdoor seating and the servers even bring out little bowls of iced water for them! Parking may be a little bit of an obstacle, but it will be worth the walk if you have to go a few block to find a spot.
(4)A H.
I really love their chimichurri hanger steak and the fries! I've also had the ravioli and the tuna, both equally good. Definitely get a martini, they give you the small shaker to refill your glass. Probably get around 2.5 martinis out of it. They had a lemon tart one weekend that was amazing, but we usually get the chambord cheesecake. Love sitting outside during the summer, great people watching. Not really a fan of the espresso though, it turns out rather syrupy.
(5)CUNIT T.
Great creeps and brunch on the weekends!
(4)Sandy M.
I really like this restaurants very much. Had lunch there today excellent food and service. Has anyone noticed that there are no male employees. Strange.
(4)Anne M.
Authentic, European fare. Fabulous!
(5)n. g.
Brunch/lunch is delicious. The omelettes, smoothies and sandwiches are all excellent. Most importantly, the menu is huge! Dinner is less impressive. Everything looks so good when it is described on the menu, but much of the food is bland or just a little off. The mushroom pasta is bland and the lemon sauce on the lemon tagliatelle tastes like lemon yogurt (and not in a good way). There are some gems, though - the fries are terrific, as is the bread and the salmon burger. Worth a try, I think, but not worth coming back to very often.
(3)star l.
Funny to see this restaurant categorized in Turkish--after an Saturday evening meal I don't recall many turkish things on the menu! However, what was offered was like dreaming of one flavour to another. They lean slightly heavier on the fish options than meat, but if your interest is flavour, the menu is literally one of those experiences that makes it tough to choose but plan to come back.
(4)Francis U.
Very good breakfast/brunch and crepes. Highly recommended for breakfast. I've been there twice now and had crepes both times. Also had the farmhouse and mexican omelet (my dining partner and I would share). Mexican omelet was was very good, but you gotta like Chorizo. Farmhouse was so-so -- too many vegetables. But you can't go wrong with crepes.
(4)Jessica E.
A friend commented this morning, "There are places in Ann Arbor that are good brunch fare, for Ann Arbor. But Zola is good brunch fare, period." As a frequent brunch-goer in America's brunch capital (New York, no?), I have to heartily agree. From the slow but attentive service to the innovative menu (forget about everything being drenched in Hollandaise, because that's not how Zola rolls), I couldn't imagine a better spot on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Yes, the prices are a bit high, and sometimes there's a wait, but ten times out of ten, I think it's worth it. This particular morning, we enjoyed an outdoor table and started with coffee and cocktails. My mimosa was strongly spiked and fresh. Foodstuffs ordered included the Frittata Zola, an open omelette with soft goat cheese and caramelized onions and a side of red-skinned potatoes with rosemary, as well as the the Turkish brunch, a huge offering of vegetables, Havarti cheese, and a basket of breads and muffins. We ordered a banana and Nutella crepe for the table, as well, which came with the most rich ice cream on top. Everything was fresh, delicious, and served in generous quantities. We took a fair amount of food home with us. Look, there are plenty of brunch options in Ann Arbor. But if you're looking for a little foodie escapism, go to Zola.
(5)Andrew L.
I decided to eat here after reading all of the great reviews. When we arrived it was crowded, but that's usually a good sign. The food was only ok. I had the crepes and they were mediocre at best. I don't really understand why people are always so impressed with crepes, they're not that hard to make so they should always be great. I would visit again and try the waffles (they looked really, at least the lady in the table next to us was thoroughly enjoying her's). Staff was fast and friendly.
(3)Sara G.
My Zola love mainly spins on the "brunch" axis, but I have enjoyed a dinner there lately, so let me divide this review into two parts. 1. **Brunch** The coffee is always dark and strong. The frittatas and omelettes bursting, the crepes perfect (at least mine always seem to be), the potatoes crisp and herbaceous. I never leave this place hungry. In fact, you could share a dish and still come away stuffed to the gills. One of my favorite things to do in warm weather Ann Arbor is to enjoy a right Zola brunch outside with friends. Keep the coffee pouring! 2. **Dinner** Honestly, first time I had dinner here I was less than impressed with my three "jumbo" scallops and bowl full of artfully mixed baby greens. However, this was after Zola first began serving dinner. I came here a few weeks ago with a large group and it was pretty marvelous. My meat was rare (yes I asked for it like that) and the fries coated with lots of parmesan. Next time I go I may order the paper-wrapped fish, which looked awesome and not too well done. You have to enjoy eating fish off the bone, otherwise don't bother. They have nice mixed drink offerings and a good wine menu. Excellent espresso martini! Not sure most people know that Zola was at first a cafe' that offered lunch and brunch items before they expanded into dinners. In the Zola brunch vs. dinner deathmatch, brunch is the winna! ONE IMPORTANT THING: if you make a reservation, make sure that you confirm it before showing up to the restaurant, and get the name of the server you confirmed with. There's a tendency to be a tad unorganized when it comes to reservations.
(4)Andrea M.
BEST BRUNCH IN ANN ARBOR...can I get a "wOOt wOOt"... I have to say, and I really do not mean to seem cliche, (no, I will not break into song) that Cafe Zola has the best brunch in town. Order the Turkish brunch and you will never be disappointed; that IS their specialty. That brunch is my sweet escape. It's almost like a mini-spa moment in a brunch. Add a mimosa to drink and that tops it off. THE CHEAP SEATS I had to give Zola 4 stars due to the somewhat crowded & very busy atmosphere and the mistakes that seem to happen on our orders when we go there. Certainly, any mistakes are minor and get fixed, but it seems to be a theme. Worst thing that ever happened was when we were sat behind the curtain thing, next to the bar, when you walk in the door. Horrible! There should not be seating there, it's wretched. I will never sit there again and I know how much it messes up a restaurant to ask for another seat, but that's their own fault. Note to Zola, get rid of those "cheap seats" and extend the bar around the corner instead. Or, just stick to 1 more widow table there. SNOOTY GATEKEEPERS BE DAMNED Ignore any icy hostesses, as most of them are snooty, but you get the occasional nice one. Who cares, she is just giving you a seat, the end. Ignore her snoot and move on. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE They have an extensive brunch and breakfast menu that will please just about everyone, so don't be shy that it seems to be known for Turkish brunch. They've got regular omlettes and other things to please. I am just biased since I loooooove the Turkish brunch. AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE I think Zola is best a spur-of-the-moment choice. If you drive or walk by and see it has a short lull in the amount of people, run in then. I know, it sounds crazy, but that will avoid you missing out on a great brunch. Go on a whim at an odd time and you'll enjoy it more. Go for the latest brunch you can do on a weekday (if you can) and enjoy it instead of hating it for the crowds. OVERALL Turkish brunch + mimosa = very happy. :)
(4)angela p.
If this review were solely about the vibe, I would give it one star. This place represents nearly everything I despise about Ann Arbor: semi-rude waitstaff; yuppie/professor-heavy clientele; high prices; pretentiousness dripping from the very brick of the walls. HOWEVER. The crepes are damn good. The smoothies are yum. They know how to cook an egg. The coffee makes me forgive them every time. Sigh. I'm such a fucking pushover.
(3)Lily P.
Cafe Zola is my favorite restaurant on campus! It has a great breakfast selection which is pricey relative to broken egg, angelos, and etc but the portions are huge and you probably won't be able to finish the omelet by yourself. Ive had the Farmhouse Omelette a few times.. (ham and Vermont cheddar with sauted onions, green & red peppers, tomatoes and garlic.) The chopped up potatoes and sides that come with breakfast are amazing and distracted me enough that I didn't finish my breakfast. I'm a egg, waffle, omelette person but they also have sandwiches for adults and KIDS on the menu for breakfast. I'm not sure if I ever will get one since the breakfast is so good and they give you so much there is no room for more food. They have the crepes they have for dinner as dessert but also have some other breakfast ones. I could careless to have a salad for breakfast no matter how amazing they look...eggs are meant to be eaten in the morning and the amazing rabbit diet food is for later on. With your food you can get different types of teas, coffes, fresh juices (orange and carrot), yummy smoothies!, french sodas Only issue with breakfast is that its a popular place and you might need to wait and don't go with a big group since you never will get seated anytime soon. For dinner they have a good wine selection and I love getting tuna there. The tuna burger also is a pretty good choice if you have a younger party there since it comes with thin fries and is less expensive. The ketchup is great and you def need to try it. The drink menu and bar is good with fast service. Appeitizers are unlike other mainstreet restuarants where there is basically no food, they def tell you what everyone is, gives you recommendations and then bring out more food then you expected. Ive had the mussels (good by any means even though the place isn't known for seafood unlike real seafood co and the commons), bruschetta is standard, and note to self to try more food. For the other meals make sure you ask about what exactly they are serving since one of my friends ordered a meal that sounded like there was tomatoes in it..but it came out with some meat in the middle of an entire tomato dish. I've had the whole fish there a few times and its always cooked pretty well. The steak is standard better than pac rim..not as good at chophouse...not a big fan of the chicken (entire chicken) dish. Ahi Tuna is good here..its not remarkable but good portion, all the fish here are cooked the way you should be eating the fish, sugar snap peas done in a lovely manner and are not mushy by any means. They always have some special going on so we never order often from the menu for the dinner suggestions unless I'm going for a burger or Filet Mignon (with damn good mushrooms). The crepes are huge and you definitely want to share with someone while the rest of the desserts are basically normal portions. The coffee drinks are great and a wonderful way to end your meal. The dessert drinks may look girly but it makes grown men suck up the judging by unknown foodies and order them anyways. They are pretty good with their coffee art too.
(4)Michelle C.
Great restaurant, a must! I went here for my first date and went back again after our 1-year anniversary. The food, ambiance, service, and menu is alllll wonderful! I have been here twice for dinner and the dishes we had are amazing and of top quality. My favorite thing about Cafe Zola is the unique twist they put on dishes that you do not see too much at other conservative restaurants in Michigan. From the capers in the bread spread (no plain butter here!) to the coconut-cilantro rice, it is all neat to taste and experience. I would recommend the Ahi Tuna and the Chimichurri Tango. They are delicious to say the least. I also tried a Salmon-Stuffed Ravioli which wasn't that great, there are definitely better alternatives. A must-try! I plan on trying this place out for breakfast/brunch soon
(5)Kate B.
'Zola is the place to go for brunch in Ann Arbor. It's a rather loud, boisterous interior (so if you're hard-of-hearing it can be trying) but the service is good and the breakfast/brunch food is a nice treat. I've had most of their omlettes (the southwest is delish...get it with Chorizo and spoon on a bit of sourcream...yum), sandwiches, and crepes over the years since they've opened, and never had a bad meal (see caveat at end of brunch review). I occasionally get the Turkish Brunch special: plate of grape-leaves, cheeses, olives, tomato, cucumber, and a basket of breads, sweet roll with butter and preserves (also comes with coffee or tea.) It's fun to make wee sandwiches on buttered bread using the tomato, cukes, and cheeses. Moms and Auntys love being taken to Zola...or so I hear :O) Caveat: I've dined at Zola for dinner 3 times...each time it was quite inedible, the pastas were particularly vile (esp. the wild mushroom pasta): sticky/heavy sauces, overdone pasta, salty and bland at the same time. lambchops were overdone, also tasted mentholated due to too much mint. The appetizers (antipasto plate especially) and drinks were good, but the entrees were blah + expensive.
(4)Melody B.
I rarely eat out in Ann Arbor, and I'm glad I got to try Cafe Zola. The high point is the food. Interesting menu, with a lot of delicious combinations and ideas. I ordered Heidi's Breakfast, which was a glorified bagel sandwich with eggs, shredded sweet potatoes, chives, asparagus, cheese and more. It was extremely tasty. The atmosphere is nice, kind of bustling, and crowded but not uncomfortable. The food and speciality beverages are expensive. I'm not sure where they get their ingredients, but for what they charge I expect that they are local and fresh as hell. I'm tempted to say it's overpriced. The service was on the slow side and the servers were kind of aloof.
(4)Liz L.
I just had brunch at Cafe Zola for the first time this morning. It was delicious! Very busy in the restaurant and it can get quite crowded, but once we were seated we had excellent service and the food was phenomenal. The ingredients are fresh and it was great to have breakfast that wasn't overly greasy. It's a little more expensive than typical breakfast/brunch, but the portion sizes are huge and it's definitely worth the extra couple bucks.
(4)Rugen R.
The food here was AMAZING. Like other places, be prepared for a long wait if you don't go there early enough.
(5)Andrew W.
Very good brunch. Uses local products, including zingermans, naturally. Try the smoked salmon, Turkish eggs, other specialties. Comfortable restaurant. Service could use a little work.
(4)Derek C.
I had breakfast here with a few friends on a Sunday morning. It was very crowded, I recommend getting there early if you don't want to wait. One of the things I was most impressed with was their tea and coffee selections. We opted to go for a french press of some Costa Rican coffee, it was very good. I had the farmhouse omelette which came with some amazing potatoes. Overall it was fantastic dish and rather large. The atmosphere and service were both relaxed. We didn't feel rushed at all and were able to take our time. Definitely recommend this place to be added to the breakfast staples of Ann Arbor.
(4)Chad C.
Pretty good food, but not so consistently good service. Some servers seem a little depressed. Or maybe that's the "we're a serious food establishment" attitude. If they had absolutely outstanding food to back it up, then maybe they could get away with it. Omelets often can be dry. Simple, but classy ambiance, and the french press coffee is a plus!
(3)Jen S.
Came here for brunch and almost orgasmed over the latte! I am a coffee addict so all versions of coffee are really important to me. It was seriously the best latte I've had since Paris! It was so good. The 3 stars are really just for the latte. Brunch was eh to me -- but I think next time I'll have to try something else because everyone else on here has given it really great reviews. Also, I thought the food was overpriced.
(3)Anthony V.
My wife and I love this place! Creative dishes with a Mediterranean flare. I've never had a bad meal or experience here. It's a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for.
(5)Lexy B.
I will jump through hoops of flame to eat Cafe Zola's Turkish egg breakfast. It's a fresh and flavorful array of feta, spinach, cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes that is simply delicious. Sometimes you can't beat honest and fresh food. Try the Russian Caravan tea if you can too. It tastes really strong and smokey, I feel like I'm sipping wood. This may sound gross, but I assure you, It's fantastic. The big downside to this place is the noise! This place is LOUD. Eat outside if you can! It gets busy fast, and everyone is packed together in way too small of a space. The atmosphere will probably cause you to have a flashback to your elementary school cafeteria. Except with much better food.
(4)Ashley B.
Yes, it's delicious. Worth the wait to get seated, the slow staff and the likelihood of being surrounded by the who's who of Ann Arbor pretension and wannabe hipsters? Sometimes.
(3)Sheyla C.
I like Zola. I've been here 3 times; brunch, meal and drinks. I prefer this place for drinks and crepes, than for a good meal. My husband found one of his fav's beers here: Pirate! and I had one my favorite cocktails: Bellini! Service and ambiance are okay, is not a lounge.....is a pretty not fancy restaurant/cafe.
(3)Leanna G.
The ambiance is fantastic and it's a lovely place to sit with a friend over drinks and a long quiet dinner. Their cocktails list looks positively exceptional, especially for someone like me who prefers flavorful drinks that aren't martinis. I had the wild mushroom pasta and it was positively delicious. The only quibble I have with this place is that it seemed overpriced for what you get. The food is indeed excellent, but the mushroom pasta wasn't $23 excellent, and the kir royale wasn't $8 excellent. Also, who are the people that think Cafe Zola is a $$ restaurant rather than a $$$ restaurant? I was a little unpleasantly surprised by the price tag when I showed up!
(4)Prima B.
Lemon Tagliarini was excellent. I will definitely eat here again!
(5)Dawn N.
Wow! What a little gem of a place. We drove out on Parents Weekend unknowingly and arrived without reservations. Before we were turned away the lovely staff made arrangements (with a time limit) so that we could enjoy a fantastic dinner with good friends. I had the sea bass on special with cous cous and honey covered carrots. My husband had a steak dish. Both unique, delicious, and equally good. The owner came by to greet our friends (who are regulars of sorts) and we had just a most enjoyable evening. What I liked about Cafe Zola is the mix of sophistication and casualness. Anyone could walk in and feel comfortable, because honestly...its about the food.
(4)S F.
I would almost give Zola five starts, but I haven't had enough dishes to rate them a perfect score. The food I've had has been wonderful. The hamburger (and fries) are one of my top five gourmet burgers ever. The half chicken was cooked perfectly the four times I've ordered it. So far, every dish I've had from this establishment has been right on. Very crowded, but worth the wait, except for the one time they kept us waiting for more than an hour . . . after seating us. If the wait is too long, be sure to check out Zingerman's.
(4)KJ H.
great for any occasion. for brunch: the best free bread i've had ANYwhere. it's from zingerman's, but somehow, it tastes better when you're sitting at cafe zola. i swear. there's a difference. i love the open-faced omelets. you can see exactly what you're eating, and that makes it even more delicious. waffles with strawberry butter! for dinner: no specific recommendations, but it's good all around. great place for a date -- nice but not TOO nice, so it's affordable without being cheap.
(4)CrapulentMoose ..
Zola is my must-do breakfast spot in Ann Arbor. Any one of the many different sections of the menu would be enough to bring me back, but add them all together and you've got perfection. One of my favorites is the Turkish Brunch. It comes with a selection of cheeses, breads, olives, egg, tomato slices, cucumber, raspberry preserves, a sweet pastry, and half a french press of tea or coffee. I highly recommend the masala chai, as it's the real deal (aka NOT from concentrate) and comes with a small bottle of warmed milk or soy milk and a little pitcher of honey. But, if that's not your bag, get anything else and it will be great too. Anyone who doesn't like the food at this place is a McNugget-Head.
(5)Michelle D.
I've eaten here a few times and each time has been pretty good, but, and this is par for the course with restaurants in this area, Cafe Zola isn't as great as people make it out to be. Cafe Zola looks and feels like a cute bistro you'd find in San Francisco or New York, serves "seasonal" dishes and charges a fairly significant amount ($13 for an omelette) however their dishes don't quite measure up to what their menu promises. Last week I ordered an artichoke omelette and what I received was an overcooked frittata with frozen vegetables covered with melted cheese. Not exactly gourmet. If you're going to make seasonal dishes, use seasonal ingredients, not ones you have to buy frozen. So, if you're in downtown Ann Arbor for brunch Zola is probably the best way to go, but keep your expectations low. You're definitely not getting what you're paying for.
(3)Ash B.
I just learned about this last weekend when I was in Ann Arbor for a grand total of 3 days (4 nights). I went to Cafe Zola 3 out of the 3 days. I don't do stuff like that under normal circumstances, but the waffles were wonderful, macchiato magnificent, and omelets exquisite. (I can't think of an O word meaning "amazing" right now) If you go, eat the SNOWFLAKE WAFFLES. Would go back again in a jiffy.
(5)C L.
Near perfect. I took my parents to this charming and bustling place on a Sunday when they were visiting from out of town. They serve mostly omelettes, crepes and waffles. I would avoid anything that sounds like an odd pairing (the ratatouille crepe I had falls in this group) but most regular brunch fare looked delicious. My parents had the salmon hash and the salmon omelette, both were great in terms of flavor and presentation. The waitress was also spectacularly patient and friendly. The one thing they can improve on is wait time - it looks like servers were getting confused with orders, and this could be because of how busy it got. Other than that - this is my new go-to brunch place whenever people visit.
(4)Christie M.
I've been here several times already but today was very very bad. Started off with a super rude hostess. My husband went in to get a table for us and I waited outside with baby in stroller. Hostess seated the couple in front of us and then ignore my husband and seated group that came in behind. If my husband didn't speak up I think she would have continue to pass us up. I always get the same thing here. Their strawberry and banana waffles were my favorite. Today my waffle was flat and had holes. One smoosh with my fork and it looks like crepes. Sad. Very sad. Cafe Zola has always been the first place I hit up when heading to Ann Arbor. Now I'm lost and don't know where to go. By the way....we waited a bit long for food. Why bring out bread after our meal I have no clue. But my 1 yr old would have appreciated if the bread was out same time with drinks. They get 3 stars just because I'm hoping today was a fluke.
(3)Erin G.
I love Cafe Zola. I've been here a bunch of times and have never had bad food. I have had not-so-great service, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Things like not having water refilled for about an hour, stuff like that. I love all of their omelets and that they have Zingerman's bread for toast, and their amazing (though pricey) coffee. On my birthday, they gave me a free banana Nutella crepe, and I could have died happy right then. One time, I was there for brunch with my boy, and the owner, Hediye, liked a song that was playing, so she got up on the bar and started dancing with her staff. That sealed the deal as one of my fave restaurants.
(4)Mark B.
My favorite breakfast place in Ann Arbor. Good coffee, chai tea, and Russian Caravan tea. My kids love the PBJ smoothies. The Turkish eggs, smoked salmon omelet, the americana, smoked salmon on bagel, and Turkish brunch, are my favorites. I've enjoyed great, friendly service there for years but routinely arrive about 7 am. I'm must admit I do my best to avoid the out of town brunch crowd.
(5)Mae S.
Zola is still one of my few favorites that I go back to as often as anywhere. The crepes, omelets, and salads are all really good.
(5)Gary L.
Really should be a shade under 3 stars. Breakfast sounds more fun than dinner. My recent experience just didn't match the price. My starter was a one heirloom tomato slice, tiny halved cherry tomatoes and small wedges of zebra tomatoes topped with a small scoop of fresh mozzarella drizzled with olive oil, sea salt and basil-it was tasty but pricey at $10. Two slices of bread in a basket was served with a dollop of herbed butter and assorted brined olives. A locally made Owens (?) Ale was recommended and a refreshing golden brew for the Summer evening-$5. I tried the Kobe burger, ordered it medium rare but was served medium with no trace of pink with a small veneer of melted Stilton cheese. The meat did not have any seasoning needing salt and pepper but just tasted like a soft, greasy burger. The french fries were nicely seasoned and hot and crisp when they arrived at the table, but were served in a stainless shake cup that allowed the steam to quickly wilt the fries inside. Premium priced at $15. The grilled onion was not really caramelized and just barely touched on the grill. The spicy mayo was good on the burger and fries, but a second condiment of special ketchup was odd-tasting. The mango pineapple salsa was tasty, but I ate it separately instead of topping the burger. The server was very nice, but would disappear for long periods. It was quiet in the dining room with additional tables outside being covered by three servers. Service could be more attentive for the price you pay. Dinner was decent, but not a great value for the money-you should probably stick to the morning selections at Cafe Zola.
(3)courtney a.
By far my favorite breakfast place when visiting my home town Ann Arbor. There are only a few things that set them back from being perfect. 1) I give them kudos for seeking out a variety of specialty coffee to chose from. However the menu doesn't change often and the restaurant consistently serves the coffee over extracted, hiding the nuances in the flavor of what could be an exciting cup of coffee. 2) I ordered an open faced omelet that I had once before and remembered loving. However this time the the yams were thrown on top of the well cooked frittata COLD AND UNSEASONeD. the waffles are unbeatable!! And the fruit is always fresh.
(4)Dawn L.
Cafe Zola is my favorite place to have brunch in Ann Arbor, for two reasons: 1. They have the best crepes in Michigan. I was in Paris a few years ago, and when I came back I was longing for authentic crepes--then I discovered Zola, which has wheat batter for savory crepes, which is a very French style. Try the salmon crepe or the crepe with mozzarella, tomato, and basil. 2. They have excellent espresso. And they do latte art! The staff is always friendly, though the wait for brunch on a Sunday afternoon can be really long. In the evening, the restaurant turns into an upscale melange of French, American, and even Asian cuisine. Lunch isn't expensive, but expect to shell out a decent amount of money for dinner ($25-35). It's worth the occasional trip--I've had dinner here twice, and each time the meal was incredible. My first dinner here was at least two years ago now, and I can still tell you what I ate (lobster ravioli). I dreamed of it for days.
(5)Kristina D.
I used to come to this place years ago and I've seen the progressive change in the menu over the years. I recently went back to Ann Arbor for the holidays and went to Zola's twice. Once for brunch and once for dinner. Dinner is good, the menu is not too extensive. I like that though, sometimes too many choices makes my head spin. What I really liked was the drinks menu. My friends and I decided to have martinis so we each ordered a different one. They ranged in price from $8-$10, but that what you get in Ann Arbor. When the waitress brought us our drinks she brought the shakers and poured the martinis into the glass for us and left the shakers. We each got about 2 1/2 martinis from each shaker....nice. Love getting my money's worth. I had a really nice arugula and grilled pear salad and crab cakes. They were both very good. My friend got the antipasto platter and it was sooo good. The prociutto was to die for. My other friend had a salad and a really good mushroom appetizer (can't remember it exactly). Brunch was also very good. The menu is huge and extensive. Crepes, omelets, smoothies, coffees, teas...it goes on and on. The coffee is delicious, they really get some good beans. I settled on the smoked salmon platter. It was smoked salmon, onions, capers, cream cheese, capers and a bagel. Really good and simple. My friend had one of the crepes and my other friend had the french toast. All of it was great. I highly recommend this place for any meal. It is not too big, so it can get crowded, but it's worth it.
(4)Lisa W.
Cafe Zola is the spot to hit if you're trying to take your family out for a great brunch (because the dinner aspect can stand to be missed). As far as drinks, they have mimosas which many people like. I personally enjoy a Sharp's mixed with lemonade much better -- try it. They also have a vodka gimlet martini which introduced me to a world of vodka gimlets, and I learned almost immediately that only Cafe Zola has that art down pat. This martini cannot be duplicated anywhere else. For brunch, all I can say is they have a beautiful assortment of crepes and omlettes -- all of which are a safe bet. The omlettes are huge and unless you like eating three meals at once, try opting for a half order (which is awesome that they even do that). My favorite, however, are their WAFFLES. There is nowhere else in Ann Arbor that makes waffles like they do. It's hard even to find fresh hot waffles, but this place makes them so heavenly and tasty that it is the first thing I begged to eat after I gave birth to my son. Dinner here isn't as amazing as the brunch, but they do have this phenomenal plate of mussels with chorizo. It is so delicious. That is the only dinner item I like, but it's an excellent choice. I thought this review was done but I've forgotten several other aspects: the coffee is good, you can create your own au lait. They have milkshakes that are intense concoctions of creamy goo. The atmosphere is nice and light -- local artist's works, exposed brick walls, bamboos that have been growing since I was a freshman there, and brunch tables that moonlight into dinner tables with white tablecloth. This is probably the safest place to refer someone who wants to eat a nice meal before 3pm.
(4)maggie t.
Food was alright but "market price" for a glass of orange juice ended up being $6.50. Outrageous to charge that without any indication, either on the menu or from the waitress. And as for the waffle--thin and floppy. At 11 dollars, no thank you. NEVER returning here.
(1)Christopher S.
Had a kind of vegetarian eggs benedict, was very good and fresh. Service was good as was the coffee.
(4)Kim L.
The brunch menu was great, but the service was poor. My eggs were undercooked when I asked for them to be over-hard. My husband's food was good and the smoothie was good, but nothing too special. It's also very crowded and loud. Be prepared to wait even if you have a reservation.
(3)Jeff W.
Excellent breakfast and lunch, the dinners feel pricey for Ann Arbor. But who's going to argue once you finish off the $14 Kobe burger? :-) This is a good place to relax with close friends or a date.
(4)Melissa R.
Cafe Zola gets very packed during Sunday brunch. Can't blame them but it gets very loud and sometimes you feel a bit rushed as the people waiting for a table stare you down. Luckily, that is the only downside. The food is VERY good. I love the freshness of their fruits and veggies. Their specials are always especially yummy. If it wasn't so loud, I'd go much more often.
(3)Giggly C.
Excellent brunch fare. I loved the black forest waffle. the omlet my friend ate was savory and delicious. And how wonderful to get your ID checked when you haven't been 21 in over 10 years? ahhh......
(5)Ellen P.
We stopped here for weekend brunch en route home from a family gathering in the area...we chose Cafe' Zola on the strength of some online recommendations. We very much enjoyed our food, even though the prices are on the spendy side -- we loved the sheer variety of menu items, especially the mix of French, Turkish and American dishes, and had a hard time choosing between the crepes, waffles, omelettes and other choices. (I finally chose one of the savory crepe dishes, which was very good.) We also liked the funky, exotic atmosphere. The coffee was exceptionally good, and this is coming from someone who normally likes a milder brew. The one thing that detracted from our dining experience was sheer lack of space -- the restaurant was completely full, with people waiting in line, and we also had to contend with a couple of Scary Yuppie Stroller Moms. (This wouldn't be my first dining choice for families with tiny children.) We'd love to come back at a slower time of day to try another menu and simply enjoy sitting there with our coffee.
(4)Puneet S.
Favorite breakfast place in Ann Arbor.
(4)Leang E.
We got up to have brunch here, and it was pretty good except for the fact that I've come to find that I'm not so much a breakfast person as of lately. I just usually have coffee in the morning and that doesn't leave room for much else. This seems to be a pretty popular spot. The place has a simple, Eastern contemporary theme to it, and it makes for a nice ambiance. I did have my cappuccino here, but it was kind of warm. I had the frittata here, and it was pretty good. I could only eat a small portion of it, and was already stuffed. I felt bad that I wasted so much food, but I wasn't hungry yet. The portions are large here, and the prices are average. Oh, and our waitress was pretty nice.
(4)Katy B.
Zola, I love you for brunch. Potatoes, spectacular. Mimosas, delicious. Waffles and crepes and... everything else, yum! Service can be a bit lacking at peak brunching hours, but that's generally to be expected. Sitting outside with a mimosa at Cafe Zola is where I want to be at noon on Sundays in the summer.
(5)Barbara C.
Whenever I visit Zola's, I wonder why I didn't return sooner, as they have such a unique menu, and their wait staff are always so personable. I just had their half pot, ginger ginseng herbal non-caffeinated fresh brew tea. Whew that's a lot of adjectives! Together with my Savory vegetarian swiss crepe, it was a complete and unique (and tasty) meal. My friend's salmon burger didn't look too bad either. I've never had a bad meal or poor service here. Although I usually love their dessert crepes, I passed on these today.
(4)D L.
I had the most delicious dinner here while in Ann Arbor to visit the business school. The highlights, as I remember them: +Interesting menu +Delicious food +A good wine selection that does not resemble what one could find in a California Safeway +Good service +Good music
(5)Emma L.
a rude waitress could ruin your day
(1)Nandini V.
I love the food here, especially the brunch options. The hot chocolate is to die for (and will probably kill you if you drink it too often). I just wish the wait time wasn't forever.
(4)Alexandra M.
I have been waiting a very long time to go to Cafe Zola, and have heard again and again how delicious their food is. Today was the day; my friends and I were going to kick off a beautiful sunny day with brunch and we were really excited about the menu options and the whole atmosphere of the restaurant. I ordered the Frittata Zola and my friend ordered the Antipasto Sandwich. Though the meal was delicious going down, the two of us paid for it for the rest of the day... OH AND A COKE IS 2.50 and regular coffee is 3.15. wtf.
(1)Heather G.
25 Things I Love About Cafe Zola's Brunch* and One Thing I don't: 25. Killer bloody marys 24. The ever-changing decor 23. Multiple coffee roasts to choose from, all delicious 22. Most excellent people watching opportunities 21. The lovely lox platter, with a bagel, capers, veggies, cream cheese etc. 20. They know the difference between an omelet and a frittata 19. You can order coffee brewed in a French press 18. Real butter. 17. The rosemary roasted redskins are always perfectly done and delicious, and always included with my omelet. 16. F-ing ICE CREAM on a f-ing WAFFLE for BREAKFAST!! 15. They appreciate the under appreciated herb tarragon 14..They don't have Lipton tea. 13. Goat Cheese + Challah Croutons + Sweet Potatoes + Caramelized Onions = Party in My Mouth aka... Frittata Zola 12. They use buckwheat batter to make their savory crepes 11. It's really not *that* expensive... 10. IMHO, it's the only place in A2 to get a decent crepe. 9. They have their brunch menu until 4:00 pm in case you get a late start 8. Pretty food 7. They serve THE champignon crepe, stuffed with mushrooms, topped with a savory mushroom sauce... I can hope that I will be able to replicate in my lifetime. Three French cookbooks later, file under F for "fail" but I digress. 6. The similarly situated Omelet Duxelles. 5. Michigan. Maple. Syrup. 4. Challah Toast. Holla! Get it? Challah? Holla? Sorry. 3. Not a sign of Redi-Whip in the whole joint 2. Booze with your Brunch...aka the only way to have a proper brunch. 1. It is perfect place to spend a weekday morning when you are playing hooky and want to enjoy a leisurely and delicious breakfast. Trust me. Not that I've ever done it. 0. Everyone else loves it too, so there's always a wait on the weekend and it is super crowded and loud. *This is a brunch/breakfast review. My love for Cafe Zola does not extend to their dinner menu, which is only 3.5 to 4 stars in my book.
(5)Dominic L.
Had brunch there last week... Food was great and atmoshere is very chill... expect a line on sunday... i had the crepes... they are great but not exactly filling for the hungry ones... didnt try the cocktails but they look interesting... wouldnt mind coming here every sunday if i live in ann arbor
(4)NJ C.
an overly crowded experience that was overpriced. If you want to have a hearty, relaxing brunch and you are a kind of person that can get annoyed by some pretentious hype, this is not the place you want to go. However nice it might seem from the outside.
(3)Emma K.
My breakfast home away from home. Crepes of any kind are never a bad idea here...especially the champignon. Turkish eggs or Turkish breakfast are amazing and I would pretty much steal an old ladies purse for one of those damn mochas.....mmmmm.
(5)Alison L.
Cafe Zola is one of the best and most consistent restaurants in Ann Arbor. If I could afford it, I would host a mimosa brunch here for everyone I know each and every Sunday, and then life itself as we know it would surely appear to be as fulfilling and enjoyable as those delicious little fruit filled crepes. Ooh la la, c'est marveilleux!
(4)Lydia S.
There are many reviews here for Cafe Zola's breakfast, but don't hesitate to come for evening cocktails. I am very impressed with Cafe Zola's variety of classic cocktails. The Sidecar, Sazerac, Martini, Negroni, Pimm's Cup, Manhattan. And they are made well. Came for dinner on a date with my then-new relationship, saw the price, and my eyes popped out of my head. I did not want my date to think I was high maintenance by ordering a pricey dish, so I stuck with a salad. It was not terribly filling, but I had a few bites of his fish dish (can't remember what we ordered, exactly), and my salad + cocktail tided me over. Great atmosphere, as well. Mood-lit and the dark wood make for a very romantic atmosphere, and on a busy night, the place is booming with laughter and clinking glasses. I'll definitely be going again! And, if you want to fit in, look nice. I abide by the mantra, "I'd rather be over-dressed than under-dressed," and people tend to look nice, here.
(4)Grace S.
Wonderful Brunch Place in the area! On every sunday, the place is packed with people. It gives you the kind of vibe that you are looking for in a Sunday morning so that you can start the day early! (not staying in bed until 2-ish as what I usually do) I went there twice, one on the Vday with my gal frds, one with my frd visiting Ann Arbor. I had a good time in both occasions. Food was really good and they made the food feel a little bit less oily than what they really were. I don't know how they do that but I don't feel guilty finishing the whole breakfast dish. Probably it's because it doesn't have a large portion as what Angelo's has to offer. Anyway, good for group hangouts.
(4)Katie M.
This breakfast was hands down the best I've ever had in my life. AMAZING flavors for pancakes and omelets. This place is so good I feel like simple food like pancakes and eggs just doesn't do it justice. Really if you're in Ann Arbor this HAS to be one of your stops.
(5)Monaco C.
Expensive. Food was alright. i ordered eggs benedict and they brought out over easy fried eggs (intentionally). So, cant say that i got what i paid for. Great atmosphere tho.
(3)Molly H.
I feel it should be noted that you can get a 2 egg omelet instead of the massive 3 egg variety and thereby achieve a perfectly reasonable breakfast quantity. Took my family here recently and they were incredibly impressed. Thanks Zola!
(4)Lara S.
I do love going here, but I have to keep my rating at 3 stars because if they had any competition in Ann Arbor, I wouldn't go as much. It has a nice urban vibe inside with exposed brick and an often lively atmosphere. The service ranges from very friendly to being ignored. On weekend mornings for brunch there is often a wait and the wait staff rush you from your table. One time, they even took away our waters before the check had come back for us to sign. I understand wanting to turn a table, but come on. The food is good- in my opinion brunch and lunch are better than dinner. My favorites are the Autumn Omelet and the Turkish Eggs. Very creative and always very tasty.
(3)Theresa U.
Came here one wintery day to meet up with Lisa N. for lunch! They could have had a larger winter rug by the front door. It was awfuly slippery! Everyone tracking snow in. But besides that. About the food! I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with saffron mayo. The chicken was very moist and flavorful! I'd order it again. The bread was a little touch to chew. I think the roof of my mouth bled a little. Eh. oh well. Lisa N. ordered Zola crepe. Which looked good. And fried. Yum! I LOVE the dipping sauces! She also oredered a waffle and grilled cheese. We ended our 'light' (haha! yeah- right) lunch with their lemon poppyseed cake. That was SOOO good. Just like moms! I'm not quite sure if they had ordered it from Zingerman's. I'll have to ask next time I go. 4 stars...
(4)Theresa T.
I have a good friend from Brooklyn who loves to come to Cafe Zola when she's in town. So I tend to drop by Zola a few times a year. I think that this place is extremely overpriced and the snooty waitstaff is down right silly. Yes, the food is fantastic but it's not worth the wait, the obnoxiously apathetic staff, nor the expensive coffee that's well -- not *that* great.
(2)Scott D.
Holy hell, this place is awesome. The teas, crepes and omelettes are as good as they get. Brunch is worth the usually short wait. No matter what you get, you will love it. I promise.
(5)Ayesha S.
I ended up back here the other day with my laptop in tow. I was told that the only real way to plug in was to sit at the bar (fine by me) and have the servers would have to plug me in behind the bar (not really fine by me- awkward). They were kind enough to do so, but I kind of figured that Cafe Zola is not the type of place to go and get work done. For some reason, this disappointmented me as I think it totally has that vibe- at least during the day. I decided to get the chicken sandwich rather than my usual crepe. Totally not a good idea! The sandwich bread was IMPOSSIBLE to cut through! I ended up eating the chicken breast on its own and munching on the bread as needed. I'm not sure how anyone could eat that thing! I also really dislike bread that makes my gums bleed, but that is just me. I'd still go back to Zola, but I'd stick to the breakfast entrees and not think about flying solo to get work done. Sad face, Zola.
(3)Clayton H.
Excellent brunch food. I am a student, so this place can't be frequented too often due to its absurdly priced cuisine. But man, it is wonderful. Absolutely delicious and fresh all the way around. And that is from a guy who has eaten at every breakfast joint in Ann Arbor.
(5)judy h.
Came here for dinner... great ambience (ie can't really see what i am eating without taking a picture of it.) had a delicious asparagus salad with the bread pudding with dark chocolate, vanilla ice-cream, and kumquat marmalade. The service was excellent too!
(4)Clarence C.
Cafe Zola serves great food, a little on the pricey side, but worth the extra dollars for what you get. Kobe burger with fries was delicious. Good meat and grilled perfectly. I also loved the stilton salad and the crab cakes. They came with a bread basket and herb butter that made me very happy--delicious whole grain bread and another bread with sesame seeds in the crust. The Salmon burger did not agree with me, and this was a small personal tragedy, because I love fish and was looking forward to it. I should have read the menu more closely--and then had them hold the ginger. I don't like the mouth-burning taste of raw ginger. It ruined this dish for me. I like how they take care of all the little details at Cafe Zola. The presentation is above par for Ann Arbor. And most dishes incorporate an uncannny combination of flavors and textures that can't be accidental. The dinner menu is short and a little pricey. Only about 15 options for the main course, although there are daily specials. The prices are slightly higher than other downtown restaurants, despite the casual decor. Expect to pay $20 to $30 per plate for dinnner, although you can go cheaper with the hamburger or pasta. (I'm being tough because I love you, Cafe Zola. Just make sure you stay on my list of favorites.)
(4)Valentina M.
Very Good Food But expensive !! Great mocha's and yummy sandwiches !! Would Recommend !!
(4)Alayna H.
Yummy yummy in my tummy. Yes, Cafe Zola is a slightly expensive, but the food is well worth the price. I'm generally not one to purchase drinks at restaurants since more often than not they're very overpriced, so I have no qualms there. Well, non-alcohlic drinks that is...anyhow, I have been to Zola a few times and each time myself and my lunch counterparts were very pleasantly surprised. I generally go with the crepes and have never been disappointed. In the summer I love to sit outside, although one particular day it was quite windy and the charm was slightly diminished, but we still enjoyed it. Overall, not the type of place I'd frequent since I'm a cheap-o, but a great place to go for some delicious brunch when you feel like treating yourself.
(4)Jay R.
This review is for brunch at 10am on a weekday morning in August, so I can't offer any views on crowding or table turnover issues. While it was a bit on the pricey side, it was worth every penny for the quality and attention to detail. The coffee was excellent (some kind of Sumatran French roast) and constantly replenished, as was the water. The breads were from Zingerman's and fresh and good. I had an Istanbul omelette - eggplant, cheese (I substituted havarti for whatever cheese they normally used) and some other vegetables that I can't recall, and it was superb. My wife loved her spinach omelette and my son's waffles were among the best I had anywhere. Add in a cool vibe and it's a great brunch place.
(5)S M.
I've eaten here a few times and have generally had pretty positive experiences here. On average, it's probably 3.5 stars. Today was a bit of an exception and hopefully not a harbinger of things to come in terms of future dining experiences. The service was a bit uncoordinated -- I had to ask for ketchup, a pepper shaker (we had 2 salt shakers), more water, a different type of toast (after not being asked this initially) -- and left the restaurant wishing the server had refilled my glass one final time. The worst affront was that my seemingly lovely Omelette Zola (with carmelized onions, goat cheese, and sweet potato chunks) was riddled with undercooked sweet potato pieces. I was only able to find a few pieces that were somewhat amenable to chewing. The side of potatoes, on the other hand, were somewhat overcooked and sort of lackluster. All in all, I do like this place typically, but today seemed to be off. Do I find their food phenomenal? Not really, especially for the price. But for Ann Arbor, I suppose it's pretty decent.
(3)Christine E.
I wasn't going to write a review because it seems that people have mostly said what I hate about this place. I would like to say that the service is HORRIBLE! I've been here four times. Once, we were completely ignored for fifteen minutes until we finally left without ordering. Once the host looked down his nose at us as if to say "what do you think your doing here?" and informed us that the table outside was for some of their "regulars" and that we would have to sit inside. Another time we sat at the bar and had drinks, the bartender was a delightful change to the awful experiences I've had here, but it was too little too late. I will not be returning.
(1)Dharma A.
I think Zola has a great dinner menu, though they are known for breakfast. Many interesting dishes that meld styles from around the world. Really like the Shrimp Batu! They also serve an appetizer with Tracklement's smoked salmon (the best and a local favorite)! I worked there for several months before starting graduate school, so I know the menu pretty well. They have a great wine selection and wonderful cocktails. Be prepared to pay top dollar for them though! The interior is attractive--I like the exposed brick look, though sound tends to bounce off the walls making it a bit echoey when there is a crowd.
(4)Stacie F.
This place is so great that there is almost always a line out the door. The breakfast plates are unique and super tasty. I got the Asparagus and Goat Cheese Omlette and it was so good but the Turkish Breakfast looked amazing as well. Also, don't forget to order a pot of french pressed coffee and a crepe to share for dessert.
(5)S H.
Better break the piggy bank for this one! A bowl of oatmeal is nearly $9.00 and if you want soy milk with that, add 90 cents. For four of us the bill came to $100 with tip. This was for breakfast--no alcohol and only one fancy coffee drink!!! I will say the portions are huge--too big really. The server should have told us how much food there was going to be. After you eat, just head straight to University Hospital for an angioplasty--no healthy eating at this place.
(2)S S.
Cafe Zola was excellent. We had the lobster salad, Hawaiian Tuna and the Sea Bass. All of them were remarkable and the service was fantastic too. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in Ann Arbor. Love this place!
(5)Kristine K.
Dear Cafe Zola, We only just met, but I think I've fallen in love. I'm not sure if it was the herbed butter that you served with the bread accompaniment to my meal (the mixed pieces of wheat and sesame were a nice touch, by the way), or the way that you took the time to grill the asparagus before folding it into the delicious omelette, or the freshly cut fruit that you so kindly substituted for the breakfast potatoes, and surely, your cool atmosphere didn't hurt either...All I know is, you got it, baby! Your admirer, Kristine K.
(5)Christie R.
Terrible experience. Went for brunch on a Saturday. The space is sooo cramped. I ordered a salmon hash and it tasted awful. It was burned on the bottom and that threw off all the flavors. The waitress just gave us our food and didn't come back until we were done eating. A little too late for me to complain about the food. I paid cash and they didn't give me my change back. They ended up taking a 35% tip for terrible food and service. I will definitely not come back here.
(1)Devon A.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor. While the dinner selections are solid, I prefer visiting Zola for brunch. The crepes and french toast selections are excellent. Good atmosphere and good food.
(4)Glenn F.
Just had dinner there this past weekend and I have to say that I was very pleased with the food that was provided for this group. The service for this table of 7 people was very good. Food and drinks were all delivered promptly and courteously. The prices were just a bit high for my taste. I remember when Cafe Zola was a humble coffee shop. I have fond memories of modestly priced teas, coffee, and amazing baked goods. I miss those days. I have also been here for Sunday brunch. That was a lovely experience. If you can get past the prices, this place is certainly somewhere you can go for a nice meal.
(4)Tony C.
Zola...this is easily one of the best experiences to be had in Ann Arbor. I'll get the negatives for this place right out in the open. It's popular, really popular. It's expensive, but not break the bank expensive. A few reviews have commented about the wait there and true to their word, it's atrocious. So, be wise, and make a reservation. Now, let me get to the good stuff. The food at Zola is impeccable. We've had both brunch and dinner there and perhaps we've always just ordered wisely, but we've always been impressed. My in-laws even got to eat there and they are total food snobs and really enjoyed it there. For brunch, they are known for their sweet crepes, but I'm more interested in their savory items. Their omelets are excellent. For dinner, my wife got the lamb chops and they were flavorful and tender. I think they also gave her six bones, which is an extremely large portion. The service is consistent (once you sit down). The wait staff is friendly. The bar area is hopping too. They make some of the best drinks in town. Unfortunately, the bar area is quite crowded, but if you are in need of a high quality alcohol beverage and don't mind being smushed in, go here. I'm a mojito snob and theirs hit the spot. Eat here, leave a little poorer, but with a bellyful of good food, good drinks, and a smile on your face.
(5)gina p.
Cafe Zola is not only my favorite brunch spot in Ann Arbor, but probably my favorite brunch spot EVER. Best of all possible brunches. This is not to be taken lightly. Everything on the menu is awesome, but my favorites is Turkish Eggs, sub the toast for a Zingerman's bagel. Hell. Yes. My biggest complaint is that this restaurant couldn't move with me when I left AA.
(5)Nina B.
I love this place!! Awesome brunch place...I especially recommend the omelets. Portions are large and scrumptious. Coffee drinks are wonderful, as are the steamers. Wonderful variety of food. Even though it's a popular joint, service is relatively quick.
(5)Paul D.
So, Cafe Zola. Hmmm. I have never been here for anything but the breakfast, so I can't comment on the evening meal. However, it is exactly because I have been here for breakfast that I have never returned for dinner. Starting with the positive, you simply cannot knock the food. The food is, simply put, fabulous. Omeletes, frittata, crepes (both sweet and savory), waffles are all, well, fabulous. From here things go quickly down hill. Every time I've been here the service is atrocious. Really, really bad. I have never once felt rushed. I have, however, almost always felt ignored. Good luck getting your water refilled. This brings me to another point. The coffee. I thoroughly enjoy coffee, especially coffee that has been well prepared in a French Press. Zola is one of the few places that I can think of that serves coffee this way (maybe the only one now that I really think about it). But, quite honestly they would do themselves and their patrons a favor if they never served coffee like this again. More mess than it's worth. Each time I've been I order coffee for the table in a French Press (you'd think that I'd remember that this is not a great idea, but I never do) and each time I am sorely disappointed. In closing, go for the food and don't worry about what you spend on the food because you'll really save on the tip.
(3)Jackie B.
Revised, January 1, 2013: Cafe Zola is THE place for brunch/lunch in Ann Arbor. My husband and I eat there for brunch about three Saturdays out of each month. The omelets are big enough for two, and they're happy to give a second plate. For an extra charge, they will divide it in the kitchen and add extra potatoes and toast for the second plate (not actually necessary unless you both love toast or crave carbs). The smoked salmon omelette (with a lovely mustard sauce) is the most expensive (around $15) and the best, although I am becoming increasingly enamored of the Southwestern omelette and also like the mushroom (duxelles) omelette. Soups are always good (my favorites are creamy tomato and ribolita), and most of the sandwiches, are, too. This is one of the few places I will eat a burger out (which means it's at least as good as we make at home). GREAT fries! For breakfast egg dishes that come with breakfast potatoes, you can substitute fries if you want (I often do, since they are so good--the best around). They come with spicy mayo and a house-made ketchup. They put white table cloths on the tables around 3-4pm, and the prices go up (even for the same burgers), and the pricey entrees come out. It's usually good for dinner, though a tad pricey for every day. I recommend the lamb chops *very* highly! For New Years Eve, they put together a special menu (and even higher prices) and have a party. This year, I had osso bucco again (foodie comfort food), and my husband had a wild mushroom and truffle pasta dish--both were great! We split a baby octopus appetizer and a blood orange, greens, marcona almond salad, which were also excellent. There are two seating periods for New Years Eve, and I recommend going for the later one (which begins at 8:00), whether you're staying for the party or not. It's more festive, and I think the service is better. I heartily recommend Cafe Zola for breakfast, brunch, or lunch any day of the week (but expect a lengthy wait if you go before 1pm on weekends). Dinner is really good, too, and none of the meals, especially dinner, are for the budget-conscious, though I did recently split an omelette with a friend, and we got the extra potatoes and toast; with a drink, my half of the entire bill was only $13, which is downright cheap for Zola.
(4)Brad D.
It has been pretty good in the past, but this past experience my service was not great, and the food was average.....then, the bill came. BAM. Very expensive.
(2)Mei O.
As everyone chowed on their breakfast around me, happy and talking, I realized I wish I had ordered anything but my dish, the mushroom savory crepe. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I've had better crepes. It was on the dry side, and needed something else. But I tasted Andrew's Blitz crepe, a sweet crepe, and that was so yummy. The waffles and omelettes were huge and everyone who had one seemed to enjoy their meal. Maybe better luck next time? The prices were also a little high, but you do get a lot of food.
(4)Michael F.
Zola is, bar none, my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. We go there as often as possible. I think the important thing to know about Zola is that it is really two very different restaurants: a brunch/lunch spot featuring crepes, sandwiches and awesome egg dishes, plus a cozy bistro with great cocktails and a range of delicious dishes from braised lamb shank to spaghetti and meatballs TO DIE FOR. Since it seems that most other reviewers have already covered the brunch scene, I will focus on the joys of Zola for dinner. Zola offers a warm somewhat subdued atmosphere during the week, but is hopping on Saturday nights. The waitstaff is far and above any other Ann Arbor eatery. Bar none. They are typically prompt, friendly, knowledgeable about the food and attentive without hovering. The food at Zola runs a wide range from rather simple fare like salmon burgers and the aforementioned spaghetti and meatballs, to more complex dishes like scallops in a beet reduction. Steaks include a chimichurri which is accompanied by a pesto that makes the meat sing. Ravioli with brown butter and sage is mouthwatering. Often they have a whole fish cooked in parchment, which is always cooked to perfection. Their seared tuna with wasabi and coconut rice adds an asian flavor to the menu. Each dish is complex and presented with a flair that make even the simpler dishes shine. The menu includes a good selection of pasta, fish and meat dishes. The amount of food is ample and can be complemented by several delicious salads that can be shared as appetizers. I must take a moment to say a word about Zola's cocktails which are outstanding. The martinis in particular, seem pricey, but are accompanied by a shaker that contains at least 3 drinks! I suggest their sidecar or the martini frida, which looks like xmas. Zola has uniformly been a pleasant dining experience for us. That is saying alot in Ann Arbor where service is typically spotty even at the higher end restaurants. The food is special enough for us to feel like it goes beyond what we could do at home. I think no restaurant in Ann Arbor exceeds Zola for a pleasurable dining experience.
(5)Stella R.
Often at Zola's for breakfast. Like the food, but always feel like my credit card cries a little afterwards... My last bill was $30+ for two people and all that we had was a few teas, oatmeal and fruit. We're pretty comfortable and it is a nice setting, but that just didn't set right with me. Now I'm looking more for other options.
(3)Haroun K.
I agree with anyone who rates Zola far and above Felix. It's much much better. I went there for Brunch this past Sunday, my first time there. Although I was reaaaaaaaally hungover, I enjoyed my crepe very much, as did my friend. I got a savory one, and he got a sweet one. The lemonade I had was ok. The service was surprisingly quick, which I did not expect after checking out the reviews. Though when my knife fell, it took about 7-8 minutes to get a clean one! My main qualm was the price. My crepe was worth the 6 dollars, but the lemonade was around 3 dollars, and it wasn't worth 3 dollars. Oh well.
(4)Michael B.
If you're going to do brunch in Ann Arbor, do it right! Don't go to the Gandy Dancer...don't go Afternoon Delight...run, don't walk, to Cafe Zola! I've been here so many times, I can't even express the joy I have when I think about it. Delicious Chicken Sandwich and crazy good fries, and top it off with their own homemade ketchup! My boyfriend swears by the omelettes and hasn't found a place in New York that even compares. Your tea and coffee comes in a french press...so great. The staff is friendly and super efficient (at least when I've been there). Honestly...I'm sure they exist, but I have yet to find a brunch place in the US that makes me as happy as Zola does. I can't speak for dinner...I've actually heard it's nothing to write home about...but their brunch MORE than makes up for it :)
(5)Paul B.
Sorry to be punitive but it's hard to give more than a 1 given we never got to sit down and enjoy a meal. The reservation was for 10 of us at 11am on a Sunday AM and was told it'd be a wait. Fine; it's hard to get tables cleared right on time, so it's understandable it wouldn't be immediate. So we wait a bit. But then a bit becomes a while and we check in with the hostess again. Eventually they call a reservationless party of 10 ahead of us with the hostess saying "Sorry, they've been waiting an hour and a half." We asked if the rest of the people that arrived before us but that didn't have reservations would also have priority and were met with dismissal. So we left to find a new place that could accommodate our relatively-large group (not an easy task, and not so fun when you're hungry). The moral of the story is if you take reservations, operate your business as such so that you can honor them; otherwise don't take reservations and do first come, first served.
(1)Diana S.
This place was delicious and a total calorie splurge. I had the waffles with coconut and vanilla ice cream on top. It was so decadent and I felt so guilty afterwards...guilty that I couldn't finish the last bite! yum yum yum! I love obnoxiously hearty breakfast. The place was super cute and the staff was great. Loved it!
(4)Lisa L.
This place got super busy -- may have something to do with the Michigan Minnesota game that day, but never the less, there was a line out the door and it was about 10am. I guess I was a little confused due to my West Coast time confusion, since I was just recently sleeping on a plane prior to landing and eating breakfast at Cafe Zola's. I had an amazing autumn omelette with REALLY good coffee. Usually the house coffee sucks, but this time, I was impressed... Les had the asparagus and goat cheese omelette. That one was good too... The lines tell you something! It's not just a co-in-keeee-dink. :)
(4)Rala S.
This place is awesome. They secretly take reservations if you have a party of 6 or more, and the atmosphere is fantastic. There will usually be a wait on weekends at mid-morning, but it's worth it. Crepes are fantastic and so are the omelets. Coffee is delicious and they have a wide-range of tea, hot cocoa etc.
(5)Victor C.
PROS: Food full of flavor, dishes different from what you'll find elsewhere in Ann Arbor, nice atmosphere, great selection of coffee served in french press pots CONS: Brunch-time wait can be long (but no different than any other good breakfast spot in Ann Arbor), service is usually spotty - the servers are pleasant, but it seems they have too many tables to handle all the time RECOMMENDED DISHES: For dinner, the Chimchurri Tango and Wild Mushroom Pasta are both very good. For brunch, most all the omelettes and crepes are great (try the Autumn Omelette) AVOID: Better waffles can be had elsewhere ATMOSPHERE: Nice decor and feel, great windows and lighting, can be noisy PRICE RANGE: Dinner entrees are $13 - $29. Brunch main dishes are around $9 or $10 BASED ON: Numerous visits ONE MORE THING: If you've been to Zola for brunch and think it is overrated or too expensive, go for dinner sometime. We think you'll be impressed.
(5)Peter S.
Amen to Evan M's review. It's the one I'd write if he hadn't already covered things perfectly - Mine was for 12/24/09 - same Holiday crowd - very good food and service once we were seated (group of 11). Very nice feel to the place. It's worth seeking out. Lucky Ann Arbor!
(4)Dave Y.
the brunch here is probably the best one around. it gets really crowded on weekends and you often have to wait a while, but it's totally worth it. they serve pretty authentic french-style food. the crepes are some of the best i've had outside of france, and their coffees, especially when made in french presses, are superb. it's also a beautiful and pleasant environment. this is definitely one of ann arbor's gems
(5)S K.
Would give it 4 stars for breakfast but only 2-3 for dinner, partially because of the service. My salmon burger was great, though I received it after everyone else in my party had finished their 'meh' entrees.
(3)Laura K.
The first time I went to Zola, it was great. I had the scallops in a beet wine reduction, and it was fantastic. The second time I went there, I ordered fish. There were so many tiny bones in the fish that I couldn't take a bite without crunching on them. I've also been there for brunch, and found my asparagus omelet extremely bland. It's way too inconsistent for the price!
(3)David N.
I visited on a busy Sunday morning. We had made reservations but an additional two people show up. The hostess was clearly annoyed. After waiting for an additional 30 minutes, we were seated. The attitude from the hostess was on constant display. I ordered the Farmhouse Omelette and the Nutella Babanna Crepe with some green tea. The red skin potatoes were so heavily spiced that I couldn't taste the potato. The omelette was bland. I thought it may have needed salt but adding that didn't help. The omelette wasn't bad though. Just a little bland. The nutella bananna was very good. The green tea with jasmine served in a tea press was bitter. Overall, I wouldn't visit this restaurant again. The atmosphere was nice and the waitress did a good job keeping up with everyone (although the ice water was often warm and without ice) but the food didn't suit my taste and the attitude shown by the host staff didn't leave me feel valued as a customer.
(2)Elizabeth S.
Five stars for the crepes. Minus two stars for the several times I've had incredibly rude or inattentive service. Actually the servers tend to be great- it's usually the hostess who doesn't notice you exist or the management type person who seems to be ushering you out the door after it took 30 minutes to get your check. If you go on a weekend, very late into the brunch time (I think like, 1:30/2?) it tends to be less crowded. Don't even think about going within a block of it on Mother's Day. Dinner is overpriced, and not that impressive for the price, though the wait tends to be less crazy. I really only think the cost is justified for breakfast... the strawberry and banana crepes really do keep me coming back, despite my complaints regarding the service.
(3)Diana K.
I, like many an Ann Arborite, love Cafe Zola. And though there are plenty of reviews to attest to the fact, I feel the need to add the following: skip the brunch and go here for dinner. I know, I know, it's a lot pricier at dinner and brunch is such a novelty (as are crepes, apparently. I mean, they're really not that hard to make and Zola's crepes are just OK. Nothing special). So skip the crowds and the long wait and treat yourself to their goat cheese stuffed salmon for dinner on a bed of mushroom-filled ravioli while basking in the glow of tea lights. You'll thank me. And as an aside, they get bonus points for the way they handle carry out orders. You know, for the days when you feel like poo and don't want to gussy up for a meal out, but you are still craving an amazing meal in? They don't skimp - they'll pack your entree to go with the pre-meal bread and olives and butter. But alas, they get docked one star for how crazy it gets during weekend brunch. They don't let you take your time and on one occasion, my party was shooed away as soon as we finished eating to make way for the throngs of other potential diners waiting for our spot. Not cool.
(4)Andrew M.
Sunday brunch lines are out the door. Plan on waiting a long time to pay upwards of $12 for an omelet. The food is very good, but I subtracted two stars for price and crowds. Once you're in, you're crammed up against the table next to you and the open dining area creates a lot of noise that makes holding a conversation difficult. I'm sure I'll be back at some point, just not for brunch.
(3)Mike R.
If you close your eyes, open them, you'd swear you were somewhere in NYC (Chelsea, Upper West Side, etc.) Bare brick walls, tight spaces, simple white linen, and extremely innovative menu. I was lucky to have the pleasure of eating the Octopus app, wow was that great ! Moving on to the tunar tartar, then to safir app, another winner. Great wine list, with reasonable prices... and an all female wait staff dressed in simple black, some with fake pearls, real eye candy, something out of a Robert Palmer video....... yes, it was truly 'simply irresistible'.
(4)Theresa F.
What a great brunch spot. It's always very busy to plan to wait on the weekends. Their sweet crepes are so good -- I love their Normandie crepe. Sit outside on nice mornings if there's room. They have a good selection of loose leaf teas and a really yummy hot chocolate (so says Steve).
(4)Betty B.
I just went to brunch here yesterday for the first time. The food itself was top-notch. I had the veg. Omelette Duxelles, and the eggs were noticeably unusually delicious. And the mushroom filling was fabulous, too. A very good 1/2 pot of tea, though I do have to agree with some other reviewers on here--the menu is only slightly overpriced on the whole, but one really doesn't want to pay $5.25 for tea. I'd definitely go back and eat more of this delicious food, but I agree with others on here that there's something of an atmosphere/service type of problem. First, the hostess asked sort of inconfidently if this absolutely ridiculously-placed table was okay for us. Nope.Then someone tried to take my plate when I was still eating, and we generally felt rushed by the staff. (Granted, a huge crowd was waiting. But if I'm going to spend $20 on brunch, and haven't been taking up a space for a crazy-long time or anything--eh, I want to finish my tea and converse for a minute.) The use of space here is kind of crazy. I got up to go to the bathroom before I left, and the tables were so jam-packed that I had to walk along this handicapped-accessible ramp to get through the throng. I'm not sure how the servers were getting food through. Despite the handicapped-accessible ramp going over a small stair (I think), the overcrowding means the place in general doesn't seem very handicapped-accessible, even if they're claiming to be. I also noticed a guy who was blind and being led by his dog seemed to have a pretty hard time getting from his table to the door. Then when we went to actually leave--as others noted, WTF with the no-waiting-area? Everyone was literally packed into the entrance way. Maybe 15 people directly between the doors and the hostess station. & you actually had to sort of push your way through. Has got to be a better system--either give up some space to make a waiting area, or make people stand outside to wait. Certainly the place seems to be doing well despite the problems, but be prepared for a little raucousness. And maybe avoid the weekend rush if you have any sort of mobility issues. Fab food tho, and I bet it's great if you hit it at an off hour.
(3)Erich Z.
There are two things that must be known before eating at Caf Zola. First, it's pricey. It's Ann Arbor, so you knew that, right? I'm just saying, you *will* be paying $8 for those eggs and bakey. Second, it takes a long damn time to eat there. You'll wait for a table. You'll wait, at the table, for your hostess. You'll wait for the server. You'll wait for your food. And then you'll wait for refills, the check, change, and anything else you may need at the moment. Brunch for two takes over an hour on Saturdays usually, if you're wise and thinking about the meter outside. That said, the food is excellent. The crepes are simple and sweet or savory. The heartier fare is simple too, and delicious. I enjoyed the Turkish Eggs, so go outside your comfort zone. Or don't - it will still be good. Go there for a delicious, casual, slow, relaxed brunch and you'll be leaving a happy patron.
(3)Tom A.
'asparagus ommlette' = ONE piece of asparaagus we loved this place in the late 90s. just great for hanging. then it went all bistro-y, started making worse food at higher prices... go figure. it's been a while but I wouldn't ever go back.
(1)Eric K.
Cafe Zola has to be my favorite breakfast place in Michigan. The Nutella Banana crepe is wonderful. It's right downtown Ann Arbor too, so you can explore downtown after breakfast. A great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning.
(5)Parisa K.
My favorite thing about this place are the crepes. They are just so good and delicious and hard to come by. I usually just come for a sweet crepe and some tea. I have dined in a few times, sadly never for brunch. Their dinner entrees are a bit too expensive for my budget, but they have excellent appetizers you can split and tasty salads that make a great meal. The location is right in downtown Ann Arbor, and the atmosphere is both fun and relaxing. All around, Cafe Zola is a good time.
(4)Philip P.
Good lord, Chimichurri steak! Wasn't expecting such flavor from a place with mostly reviews on the excellent coffee. This place delivers on dinner!
(4)Phillip L.
My favorite brunch spot in A2, easy. I have fond memories of Sunday brunch with friends over delicious food, giant pieces of toast, and cups of coffee so big you could fit your fist in it. Brunch wait time can be a bit crazy though, so be prepared to come way early or wait in a cramped space. I've also had dinner here before, but it's on the pricier side. I think brunch is still the best value. It's also a trek from UM campus though.
(5)Joe C.
Cafe Zola is one of my go-to brunch locations, especially on Sundays, when you can find free parking downtown. While some of my friends love the crepes, I tend to stick with the omelettes or the waffles. The coffee has always been good, either french press or regular drip. The herb butter with the toast is amazing. While there is often a wait during prime brunch times, the interior is nice and the service reasonable once seated. It's a bit on the expensive side, but nothing terrible. More seating would be nice, but everything is arranged as optimally as possible given everything there. While I wouldn't go there every weekend, I have been known to go several times in quick succession, if only to have both a savory and sweet brunch there. I've only been there once for dinner, which was a while ago. They messed up my order (my chicken was never put in) but they ended us giving us free food and drinks. It wouldn't be a first choice to go to for dinner again, but I wouldn't refuse if that's where people wanted to go.
(4)Lynda L.
We were really looking forward to trying zolas based on the reviews. We made a reservation and our table wasn't ready with about 5 empty tables. We ordered a bread basket before hand for the kids which came with no bread plates. We asked for them and never received them. No refills on coffee. I ordered the crab cake Benedict and it was stone cold. The food had a potential of being good if service wasn't so slow. Very disappointing. I would definitely pick another spot.
(1)Lissett P.
Great food the flat iron stake salad was very well seasoned and cooked. The smoked bacon and Michigan cherries did it for me. The bread also was awesome. I will go back for lunch or dinner sometime again soon.
(5)Anthoine W.
Food wasn't bad at all we enjoyed a strawberry crepe and a nice omelette after my dentist appointment. The food was decent and nice a portion for the price, but the drinks were pretty high in my opinion. 8$ for fresh squeezed orange juice, but hey I love fresh OJ! But overall pretty good, only wish our sever would have been more attentive, she just drop off the food and came to pick up plates.
(3)Alex K.
The Service, Food, & the Atmosphere was awesome.
(5)Ann L.
Huge menu. Good food. Nice atmosphere. Sort of pricey for the location though.
(5)Laya L.
Came here for brunch with two of my friends and we all loved our food! The indoor decor is pretty nice and they have paintings for sale up on the wall too. It is a little pricey but I did find my food worth it.
(5)Mary J.
Always, always, always an exceptional experience! Went for my birthday in September with family -- the branzino en papillote was buttery soft and well seasoned! Champagne was lovely! Service always attentive but handled without impacting table conversation. Party was at the table in the window - fun, memorable evening!
(4)Michelle P.
Space: Nice, dark lighting.. probably a nice place for a date Service: quick and pleasant despite our huge party of 15+ people Food: Appetizers were pretty good-- my favorite was probable the fig and cheese..Had the steak form my main course and it was delicious and perfectly cooked. The Chimichurri Sauce was delicious and a perfect pairing
(4)Kayla F.
This is a nice place. There are great restaurants, there are horrible restaurants, there are those hot or cold niche restaurants. This isn't any of those. This is just a plain and simple *good* restaurant. You're bound to find something you'll love here, something you'll like, something you'll come back for. I've had their burgers, entrees, breakfast meals, drinks, and desserts and it's all been tasty. Some of it is on the pricey end, but for the most part, taking into account the quality and atmosphere, it's really on point. This is the kind of place I'll come back to again and again and never get bored with. It's great for sexy late night dates, for early morning feasts, for in between teas. And it's right off of Main Street, so it's in the right place.
(4)Robin L.
So, for the sake of full transparency, I'll admit that I'm a regular! And I love Cafe Zola's! Here's why: This place is awesome! Wonderful ambiance, delicious food and top-notch service. Yes, it's expensive for sure, but if you're looking for an amazing experience, you just can't beat this place. It's my go to place for brunch, business lunches and dinners and even coffee meetings. They serve fantastic coffee and espresso drinks. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place!
(5)Alexandra K.
This café is DELICIOUS! Their menu is HUGE so it is very hard to choose which gourmet item to go with. So bring lots of friends to share the meals. You really can't go wrong. The place is usually filled to the brim (at least for breakfast/brunch) so be ready to wait. -Turkish Eggs (2 eggs, oven-baked sunny-side up with sautéed organic spinach and a slice of French feta cheese. Served with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and Mediterranean olives): It really is a beautiful sight. It's a bit like a frittata (slightly) and it's quite good. My only gripe is that the spinach was a little overcooked--so it was too mushy for my taste (which can be a bit much especially considering how much spinach there is in this dish). The feta--so very fresh and creamy. -Turkish Tuna Salad (with fresh vegetables, dill and lemon on challah): it's definitely more spicy than your average tuna salad. I mean just look at all of the stuff in there. The dill and lemon are quite strong (which to me tasted great) but I don't know how much Dad enjoyed the bursts of flavor. The challah is nicely toasted and is quite flaky. The terra chips are nicely baked. Yum. -Little J's PB (ice cream, bananas, Callebaut chocolate, peanut butter and milk): oh gosh I just can't even talk about it without having my mouth water. Perfectly peanut buttery (not overwhelmed by the banana)--but PRICEY. -Latte: They do a good job. It's nice and creamy. FINAL VERDICT: This is always a great café to explore. I'm glad I tried the Turkish Eggs but I wouldn't say they are a must. On the pricier side, but hey, if you want quality...
(5)Michael M.
I have been to Zola a dozen times over the years but it seems to have gone down hill fast. Took 20 min to get seated with plenty of tables open. Then it took 15 min before anyone waited on us. We decided to order drinks and food together since we did not know when they would come back. We got our two coffees but my daughters smoothie had to wait. Restaurant service 101... don't bring things out unless everything is ready. Ah wait now I know why... maybe you do not want the coffee to get cold? Too late... coffee cold. Ah will make you a new one.... 15 min later food is gone still no coffee no smoothie, Oh I am so sorry says the waitress... I will comp the drinks and get them to go. 15 min later out come the bill... Where are the drinks? Oh i thought you said take them off the bill. Please just cash me out. Never again. What Crepes it is from now on.
(1)Mukund R.
I was in Ann Arbor to watch Manchester United play Real Madrid, so we were all in very high spirits when we reached there. There was a wait for about 30 minutes but because of the great reviews here we decided to wait. An hour after we got our table and had coffee multiple times, our hostess comes up to us and tells us that she somehow forgot to put our order in. She seemed to apologize but still gave us a check for our coffee so it's good to know that we spent an hour drinking plain coffee and left hungry and angry. Really disappointed and expected better. My advice to people going there is to keep reminding your server that you're waiting for your food.
(1)Ed D.
This place was more show then good tasting Food! Great bar tender. I had the Samon hash and my buddy had Turkish eggs an wedding soup. We tried the blooded Mary it was"good". Maybe next year they'll get it right!
(2)Charles W.
We eat here often. The food is always very good. My wife had the lambchops which are outstanding and I had the salmon which was very good but not really different from other restaurants. Tonight however, the service was very slow. Maybe it was because it was Mother's Day and they were quite busy but the waiter hardly appeared at all.
(3)Shelia D.
Everyone raved about how amazing this place was. I got there and the wait for the food took forever and when we got the food it was nothing to be impressed about. I mean it was okay but for the price you pay not worth it.
(2)Joshua A.
While I've heard mixed reviews about Cafe Zola for lunch, My dinner experience there tonight was one of the worst experiences I've ever had at a restaurant! My girlfriend and I showed up on time for our reservations and were seated promptly. We then proceeded to wait at least 10 minutes before a server brought us water and took our drink orders. The restaurant wasn't very busy, and everyone around us was being served so this was unacceptable. After this, the service was generally okay - not friendly, but also not bad. To start we ordered a half dozen oysters on the half-shell. What we received was embarrassing. Three of the six oysters were about a half inch in diameter, so small that you could barely tell that there was an oyster in the shell. The other three where a little over an inch in diameter, still considerably smaller than one would expect. Even overlooking size, the taste of the oysters was bland. I realize that we are in Michigan, but there has to be a quality threshold at which you simply do not serve or charge this much for oysters. For our main courses I ordered the lamb chops, and my girlfriend ordered the ahi tuna. Three lamb chops came out accompanied by cooked spinach and a few pieces of potato. All of the food on the plate was lacking in both quality and flavor. The spinach was over salted and tasted as if it came out of a can. The potato pieces were exactly that, pieces of potato that were boiled with no flavors or spices. While the lamb was medium rare as ordered, it was just as bland as the potatoes, and it was so tough that I struggled to cut it with the provided knife. I could not have given this food less flavor if I had tried. My girlfriend's ahi tuna was even more upsetting. A few small pieces of tuna (probably about 6oz in total) came out on a bed of sugar peas and cherry tomatoes. There was rice on the side. The first thing that was upsetting about the dish was that the tuna was served with a very large amount of wasabi directly on the top, about half as much wasabi as there was tuna. Because it was on the tuna she had to scrape it off before trying the tuna. I do not know anyone who would enjoy this much wasabi on their tuna. The tuna was seared a little bit on the outside as you would expect a good piece of tuna to be served, however it was exceptionally bland. I have had better tuna from cheap sushi places! Searing the tuna should have added flavor, and it added none. The peas and tomatoes were similarly lacking flavor, and they were under cooked. The only slightly redeeming factor of the whole dish is that the rice was good, however it is very upsetting to pay $30 for tuna and only enjoy the rice. Overall neither my girlfriend or I finished our meals. We left after spending $100 (without drinks) on food that we did not enjoy, and that is extremely disappointing. Do not come to Cafe Zola for dinner. You can get better, significantly cheaper food nearly anywhere else in downtown Ann Arbor.
(1)Smrithi D.
Went to brunch here and loved it! Suprisingly the wait on a sunday afternoon was minimal to none and the waitress was friendly and very helpful. I recommend their fresh carrot juice, its amazing! They crepe I ordered was okay.. nothing to rave about but other breakfast-y brunch items looked delicious! Great place to come with a friend or family, average to slightly expensive pricing but good experience overall!
(4)Terese C.
The food & service for dinner were great. We were there Parents Weekend, so glad we made reservations weeks ago. It was loud but to be expected for Parents Wknd. The gulf shrimp appetizer was quite tasty. Overpriced for 3 shrimp for $12, though. I got the whole fish & my family ordered the flat iron steak. Both were delicious. We did not get dessert. The Moscow Mule drink I ordered was not all that great. I'd go back.
(4)Kate S.
Have had brunch here several times. It's a nice menu that is a nice deviation from some of your standard brunch fare. I enjoy it since there are plenty of healthier choices. Prices are a tad on the high side, which is why I deducted a star.
(4)Diana N.
The food was excellent. Outdoor seating very nice. Service is good as always. My sister and sister in law are in town for a visit. Zola's is go to for breakfast and lunch. First time for dinner...it will not be the last. My guests felt the same.
(5)Daysy T.
We were visiting Ann Arbor from Seattle over the weekend, a friend recommended them for brunch. We were so I pressed with the food the first day, we decided to return the second day! I'm normally not a dessert person but the crepes and waffles were delicious! They are light with just the right amount of sweetness. Mostly we were impressed by the service, both days were very busy and the staff handled everything professionally and promptly. There was a storm one of the days we were visiting and the next day was really sunny and we really wanted to sit outside, we were willing to wait but instead they brought out a table for us to sit at!!! Amazing. Great food, great service... I highly recommend this place! Try the waffles ;)
(5)Melanie C.
Came here for brunch. This place is hella busy on the weekends during brunch time..must be the turkish eggs and the french press coffee. I ordered the salmon burger. It came with pommes frites, housemade ketchup, spicy mayonnaise, and citrus chutney. I would have to say, this is one of the better salmon burgers I have ever eaten. The salmon was sauteed to perfection. It was very juicy and paired well with the toppings that came along with the burger: pretzel bun, red chile honey glaze, lettuce, tomato, and even the sweet pickled ginger! It was a bit messy eating it since all the juices kept dripping everywhere (my type of burger :P). The pommes frites was also delicious..crunchy and thin like shoestring fries (my favorite type of fries). The Southwestern Omelette was also good. Never knew how well poblano chiles and creme fraiche tasted in an omelette. The only down side to this omelette was that the ingredients weren't spread out throughout the omelette. Half of it was all sour cream with the roasted peppers and a bit of chorizo, while the other half was chorizo, and pico de gallo. They should try to spread out the sour cream and chorizo more evenly, that way customers can get the best of both worlds. Other than that, I would come back again for brunch. There's so many other dishes I would like to try!
(4)CV C.
Now I know why all pictures are from their brunch menu: their dinner one is just ok tasting. It's not bad, it's just that, if I'm going to pay this much for the food, I'd expect it to be more than just "I can make this at home for a fifth of the price". I'm curious about their brunch and will be back to check that out. I will, however, not be back for their dinner.
(3)J H.
The food is good but $14 for an egg bagel is pretty ridiculous. I would probably go there more often if it wasn't so darn expensive.
(3)Paul S.
This Turkish -French creperie appeared some twenty years ago and it took well with the local population. I wasn't a big crepe fan then, but I did like their omlettes because of the delicate finishing touch: a sprinkling of herbes de Provence. In fact, I plagiarized this touch after I moved away from Ann Arbor. Today I met an old friend for breakfast and we beat the rush by about 40 minutes by getting sat at 9:15 am on a Sunday. My savory filled crepe contained eggs, ham and Harvarti cheese in a whole wheat wrap. Creme fraiche completed the package, however, I spiced it up with the locally produced Clancy's Fancy hot sauce. Excelsior! Coffee is good here too and service was polite and professional. As we wound down it was getting crowded and a line spilled out the door.
(4)Michael M.
Very nice experience. The problem is, Ann Arbor has such a plethera of top notch restaurants, were this in another city it may be a favorite, however I would say maybe third or fourth favorite in the city. With this said, we had an excellent meal. Cocktails, appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts were all excellent. We had the Miro and Tuna, and both were suberb. Our server was also wonderful, as was the atmosphere of the restaurant. We will most certainly return.
(5)Joel B.
Ok, look. The food was fine. My omelette tasted fine, but was very plain. Sort of a slab of scrambled eggs folded over some simple ham/sausage things. But, for 13 bucks, I expect an omelet to be a transcendent experience. This one was just ok. Would have been awesome for 6 bucks. My wife has the Turkish breakfast which she enjoyed. But, if you go, the potty has the greatest paper towels. Like drying your hands on the wings of an angel. Astounding in strength, unparalleled in cushionyness, and top notch in absorbency. Worth the overpriced omelette to just feel the paper towels.
(3)Al M.
Always a great lunch at this popular A-squared institution. Sampled a Kobe burger, a grilled chicken sandwich, and a couple of goat cheese and asparagus omelettes. I'd highly recommend requesting Zola's special-made ketchup condiment with any sandwich you order. It is zesty, spicy-sweet with just a touch of a tangy BBQ sauce. Outstanding! The natural brick walls trimmed with some tasteful art adds to the ambience although it can get a bit loud during the busy lunch hour. Solid 4 big ones.
(4)Kiva M.
The waffles are absolutely amazing. I go here just for the great waffles with strawberries and bananas. The coffee here is also great! The service here was great but they are usually extremely busy at brunch time so I would plan accordingly.
(4)Janis M.
The worst experience I have had. I made reservations for 4 at 12:00 noon. Two of my guests had to go to work. After sending back the raw steak salad 3X's we agreed she give up on eating today. The waitress had many excuses, like they were busy. We arrived at 11:45 & few tables were seated. She apologized for ordering the wrong dish but never for the SLOWEST service ever. We left at 3:00. The manager stepped in to explain that the raw meat is considered med-rare even though it was cool & after sending it back we were promised a "new" Plate of food, "they lied". Same cuts of beef & lettuce rearranged Very disappointed & never to return
(1)Justin P.
Went to Cafe Zola for my birthday dinner with my girlfriend and loved every minute of it. Food was amazing. Service was ok. First, we order drinks. Both were well crafted and delicious. For appetizers, we ordered the Shakshuka and Smoked Salmon Bruschetta. Both were delicious and well presented. Next we got split a market greens salad. Dressing was great but it was an average salad. For our entrées I got the flat iron steak with a delicious side of chimichurry. My girlfriend got the salmon which was in a delicious sauce. The service is the only reason why it did not get 5 stars. The waitress was nice and paced the meal but unless she was serving the meal, she never came around. Didn't fill up the waters unless it was empty when she picked up the dishes. Our empty plates sat on the table for a while until she came back ready to serve our next course. Cannot wait to go back and try brunch!
(4)Christy L.
Came here for a work group dinner tonight. They accommodated us well. The food was delicious! We got bunch of appetizers, most of them are great. Ingot the pan roasted mero with miso for entree. That was one of the best fish dish I've had. The fish is juicy and tender, feels like it melts in your month delicious!! But the portion of the dish seems a little on the small side. I would definitely go back again just for that dish.
(5)Dug S.
Hands-down best, and appropriately, most expensive fancypants brunchy place in town. Zola is the regular morning spot for the politicos, buttoned-up business folks, laid-back tech founders and funders, and other well-heeled types in town. Staples of the Zola experience: great, endless coffee; appallingly huge portions; herbed, crispy potatoes and monster omelettes and waffles; Zingermans bread as "toast" with creamy, whipped herbed butter; attentive, super-accommodating service (anything you want, any way you want it, if they possibly can). Atmosphere here is like a Pixies song - quiet, LOUD, quiet, LOUD - tranquil early-morning and mid-afternoon, but shouting-match volume with a full house. Tables are crammed together in an open floor plan, so don't expect a lot of privacy - this is the kind of place people come to see and be seen, in a glad-handing business context (Sweetwaters across the street has played matchmaker to more of the singles coffee club). Parking is surprisingly easy right in front before 9, and there's the big city surface lot across the street. There are plenty of times I prefer to skate down the block to the Fleetwood for hippie hash, endless donut shop style coffee, and a different kind of community - but this is usually well after midnight, soused, with ears ringing from a show or after the annual Punk Week shopping cart races that start there. Still, Zola's never thrown me out skateboarding in off the street with my backpack, or grabbing an outdoor table with other grimy, sweaty dudes. If you're looking for a nice place to entertain guests, or hide out for a minute and treat yourself to a Zen morning at dawn at one of the two isolated two-tops by the windows, or the corner spot at the bar), well, you'll be fighting me for it.
(5)Ben U.
Absolutely amazing! Go for the omelettes, guaranteed satisfaction every time! Kind of pricy but ensures quality! 10/10
(5)Ann W.
Café Zola is typically packed during brunch hours on week-ends and this one was no exception. While it has an extensive dinner menu, I generally come here for brunch and the Bistro location for dinner. I guess I am a creature of habit. We were debating between this and a neighboring restaurant but felt that it offered more choice. This is one of the places that I introduce to my out-of-town visitors. They tend to appreciate the innovative menu, quality ingredients, congenial ambiance, and character of the building. I like the staff, all of whom seemed to thrive in this chaotic environment. Inside, it was packed as we waited patiently for our tables, crowding next to diners who themselves were trying to relax and enjoy their meal and time with friends. I took the time to spy on others' meals. Should I have the Kobe burger, the Southwestern omelet, or the frittata? The latter is one of my favorites. In the end, I decided to try the Monte Cristo sandwich with a side of fries - it looked delicious. Roasted turkey and Havarti cheese are sandwiched between two thick pieces of soft Challah bread, battered and grilled, like stuffed French toast, and served with raspberry preserves. While I am generally not a fan of raspberries, I did like it with the meal. The serving was huge, with enough left for dinner. The fries, as always, were thin, crispy and terrific. Served with mayo and barbecue sauce, I enjoyed the large portion, also with enough left for dinner. With so many people crammed in the large restaurant, we did have to yell to be heard. This was not unexpected, nor did it dampen our enjoyment of the meal or each other's company. Our server was friendly and anticipated our needs. I was amazed by how he and his co-workers maneuvered effortlessly among the tightly-spaced tables and waiting crowds.
(4)Caitlin B.
Finally- a restaurant in A2 worthy of 5 stars! My fiance is from Ann Arbor and lives very close to here, so we came here for Sunday brunch last weekend. We arrived around 10 AM, so although it was starting to get crowded, we were seated right away. The hostess was pretty curt, but luckily getting seated was our only interaction with her. We sat inside (outside was totally full, and the outdoor seating is pretty much all two-tops). We started with coffees for the ladies and a spicy bloody mary for the man. The coffee was good and the waiter brought us our own creamers without asking, which I really appreciated. Neither of us take sugar, but we do like cream! My fiance enjoyed his bloody mary, and was pleasantly surprised that he could actually taste the heat. My fiance got the American breakfast (he was a bit disappointed to see no classic eggs benedict on the menu. With a shellfish allergy, he can't partake of their crab cake version!) His disappointed ended when they brought his eggs, potatoes and sausage to him, though! The sausage was particularly good, as it was much larger and more flavorful than traditional breakfast sausage. His mom ordered the Shakshuka, and she also enjoyed it. It was a bit on the spicy side, but she ate every last bite! I ordered the Turkish brunch, which was the absolute highlight of the meal. The dish is beautifully composed on a large plate, with two types of cheese, olives, a hard-boiled egg, dolmas, and tomatoes and cucumbers. It comes with an entire basket of delicious, fresh-baked bread, complete with butter and fig jam. The feta cheese was creamy and deliciously briny, and went beautifully with the fig jam. There was an enormous cinnamon roll in the breadbasket, which the fiance devoured as his breakfast dessert. I strongly recommend Cafe Zola, and hope to return the next time we're in town!
(5)Amy C.
Fantastic brunch spot. I've been to almost all the brunch spots in Ann Arbor and Cafe Zola is a standout. The restaurant is hip, trendy, with a mellow ambiance. A solid place for large and small groups, but it'd be a good idea to make a reservation in advance since they get pretty busy, especially on the weekends. I've tried several things on their menu-- from their famous crepes to waffles to omelettes to even their Turkish eggs-- and Cafe Zola delivered every time. All the classic brunch items like crepes and waffles come in huge portions, but that doesn't mean Cafe Zola sacrifices on quality. The food is made with superior ingredients and has always been immaculately presented. Additionally, I really appreciate their diverse menu, in which I was pretty surprised to find Turkish eggs listed. As far as I could tell, they tasted authentic, proving that Cafe Zola can do it all, and do it well.
(4)Jeff N.
This place really lives up to it's reputation. The food and service were both excellent and I will return next time I am in Ann Arbor.
(5)Anika P.
Nothing special, way overpriced.....we had a salmon crepe, which was barely any food, the salmon was good but the whole dish was not worth the price....the omelette didn't have anything besides the minimum sausage, the peanut butter smoothie was good, the berry one was eh. Will not return.
(2)Magnus L.
I came here for lunch in the middle of the week, the place was packed. We didn't have to wait long to be seated. We had a big party, most seemed to order their breakfast dishes and were very happy. I ordered the love burger with fries. The burger was really good, juicy with lots of flavor. The burger came with several dips on the side that was really good. The fries very really good as well. Service was great throughout the meal, I will definitely come back here.
(4)Maisie W.
The hostess did not give a reliable wait time for a table which is disingenuous and annoying and most importantly--poor hospitality. It was a busy brunch service and they were slammed--as they always are--but being honest with guests to say, "it will be at least 20 minutes, would you like to leave a number so we can call you?" at the time we first put our name down would have at least given us the chance to stroll around while we waited. Instead we waited impatiently, getting more and more frustrated and angry that our table was "almost ready, just a few more minutes." Next time please just be real.
(1)Ana N.
Went for brunch - terrible and rude service, the food was extremely average and they messed up the order! Sent it back and received the same thing again so just left it. Such a shame because I'd heard great things - don't bother.
(1)Vivienne D.
Went for lunch on a superrrr busy day. I expected a wait time for 2 people, but we were seated right away. The atmosphere is super chill and lively, place looked really clean as well! The menu is very complete, they offer omelets, crepes, platters, salads, sandwiches.. everything you could ever ask for! They even have a wide selection of teas and coffees if you desire a liquid accommodation. Food: Ordered salmon cake, grilled veggie salad, mushroom crepe (I forgot the true name.. but ordered it through recommendations on yelp) My partner told me his salmon cake could have used a bit more seasoning and I agreed. It was nice and moist, but a bit one dimensional in terms of flavor. The eggs were perfectly cooked though. I ordered the grilled veggie salad (because I am a health nut..) and it was PERFECT.. the dressing that went with it was delicious and balanced and the veggies were so flavorful. I dream of this salad... The mushroom crepe was nice!... Wasn't what I expected but I am glad I tried it out. The filling was 95% mushroom and had a exquisite white wine sauce with it (i think.) Maybe I am used to softer sweet crepes, but the savory crepe was pretty sturdy and hard. Very interesting flavors, try it out! crusty Bread + herb butter = super win. crusty bread+ herb butter+ jam = epic win. I wish I could have tried the coffee, but they seemed so busy I didn't want to bother them! Try this place out, it's lovely!
(4)Rebecca S.
Had breakfast here for the first time. Nice atmosphere, clean. The menu is extensive and all sounded quite good. The two of us each got an egg dish (frittata and omelette). And they were good. I felt the frittata needed an added texture-creamy goat cheese and creamy sweet pots...maybe pine nuts? I don't know, but a crunch perhaps. The artichoke omelette was perfect. We shared a crepe. The Normandie was good in concept but the actual crepe was a bit tough and chewy, not tender. Filling and toppings were yum. Drinks were good. OJ, coffee, and an out of this world smoothie with OJ, carrot and mango. Overall a good meal with good portion sizes, albeit very pricey.
(4)Dawn C.
Leave your budget at the door and GO FOR IT. One crepe is not going to fill anybody up, so you're going to need to order something else too.... oh but that one crepe will be super good, so you can't skip it. I tried the champignon crepe (mushroom savory) and wished it was bigger the moment I tasted it. Lots of mushrooms! Delicious! The waffle "a la gabus" with chocolate hazelnut drizzle, raspberry drizzle, whipped cream and ice cream was a great accompaniment. Though I was sad the crepe was all gone, I could now drown my sorrows in ice cream - for brunch! I leaned over to whisper to my friend that the first thing I would do when I got home would be to throw away my waffle maker. It doesn't make crispy edges, and I now realize that it's been letting me down for years. Goodbye waffle iron. It's you, not me. Thank you Cafe Zola for this moment of self discovery. Crowded! Our group of 8 had a reservation and would not have stood a chance to just show up unannounced and get a table.
(4)Kathy T.
I have never loved a Shrimp Taco more then I do here at Cafe Zola in Ann Arbor! Every single time I come here the associates greet me with a smile and already know my order! Their ketchup is also very unique - It is homemade and you can't find it anywhere else. Delightful with a sandwich or an asparagus omelette!
(5)Hannah S.
My boyfriend wanted to get blintzed out, and well, Cafe Zola sealed the deal with their blueberry blintze style crepe! The sweet farmer cheese, coupled with the sweet blueberries and fresh cream sauce was magical. He also got a side of polish sausage, which he thought was pretty good, but it was $4.75 for 2 pieces, so probably wouldn't do that again. I got the Normandie crepe, which was a cinnamon apple, walnut & cranberry crepe with fresh whipped creme. I really enjoyed it, but I was hoping that there would have been some sort of saucy component to pull it all together. It was a tad more than $10, which for me is steep, but it was good. Not as good as boyfriend's blintze crepe though! I also got a side of bacon, also $4.75, for 3 thick pieces. Standard fair bacon, and cooked crunchy how I like it, but nothing wowing. I also got a side of rosemary potatoes, which was a mixture of awesome, undercooked, and burnt. I think they were about $3.50 for a pretty decent mound of potato, so a better deal than the bacon or sausage for sure. I ended up paying about $25 for breakfast, which is highly unusual, and I don't think the food deserved the price, though it was pretty darn tasty! There is metered parking on the street, and parking structures just a block or two away. Service was fast and friendly, though we were the first ones inside at 7 am so that might be the case! (according to other slow-related service reviews). Overall, I enjoy Afternoon Delight or The Broken Egg more, but for sweet desserty breakfast, this may be exactly the place you want to go.
(4)Jeff B.
A fun brunch place in downtown Ann Arbor. We went for brunch on a Saturday morning around noon so naturally there was a bit of a wait! However they moved through the list fairly quickly and efficiently. Seating was tight but again, as to be expected at weekend brunch. The food here was good and everyone seemed to enjoy it. It's a bit pricey which sets your expectations high, but it was good. I had one of their omelettes and it was pretty big! But, an omelette is never a very impressive thing! (I'll have to try something else next time) A bunch of people with us ordered crepes and they looked delicious! The staff was also very nice. Our waitress was constantly refilling coffee and water and she kept an engaging and fun attitude. The food came out pretty quickly as well! I look forward to going back and trying out some of their other dishes!
(4)Mike K.
Maybe it's restaurant week. Maybe the staff was hassled and the cooks were slow. My wife and I went on a Tuesday during Restaurant Week and Zola's came up less than impressive. I'd think a featured eating location would be ready to go with their food. The potatoes everyone said was good? They're out. Oooh, mussles! No, sorry, we don't have those. Well, can we get calamari? Nope, that gone too. Well..... here, have some white rice. The 45 minute wait for the apps was okay because the weather was beautiful. Our server seemed stressed and she was dealing with some things. We're patient but I certainly didn't have 90 dollars of fun. Maybe it's better as a breakfast place or when it's a regular business week. It felt like forever to get food, half the food reasons we went were gone, and... well, eh. I don't know if we're going back to try it again. I was underwhelmed.
(2)Katherine S.
Everything I've had here is amazing. It's a bit in the pricey side so not somewhere we go weekly, but definitely head out here to treat ourselves! Zola's Crab Cake Benedict is my absolute favorite.
(5)Brock H.
Had brunch here while passing through Ann Arbor. Everything was excellent. We had open-faced omelettes -- one with sweet potatoes and caramelized onions, topped with challah croutons, avocado and goat cheese; the other with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, green beans, potatoes, and red onions topped with Vermont cheddar cheese and avocado. The eggs were perfectly cooked and the toppings applied in perfect proportions - something I can't say for many of the open-faced omelettes (or frittatas) I've had at other establishments.
(5)Mike S.
The food was excellent. The side of syrup I ordered was $3.50... I mean, common - that is highway robbery. 1 star for prices. 5 stars for food.
(3)D B.
I've come in for brunch a couple of times, and everything is so yummy. If there is one irksome aspect to the brunch, it's the extra charge for maple syrup. It's like a checked baggage fee. It makes you chose between a less pleasant experience or an overly high charge.
(4)Sarah F.
Quick Tip: Go and get the waffle! Good casual place for breakfast. Service was slow, but it was also a Sunday, so a bit understandable. One of us got the classic waffle and the other the Farmhouse omelet. Both were good. The eggs on the outside of the omelet were a bit overcooked. The waffle was amazing. It is light, fluffy, and sweet! Added bonus: they serve french press pots of coffee Pro: good food, french press coffee Cons: slow service
(4)Emily W.
One of the few places to serve reliably good, interesting food in Ann Arbor. Always a good pick.
(4)Linda L.
a good place for brunch and lunch. locates in downtown Ann Arbor. Sometimes you need to wait for seats. The dishes are good, but in fact, as I am not so familiar with those cookings, so it is hard for me to tell whether it is real good or not. I just know the vegetables in salad are fresh , better than those apple bee-ones. the omelette tastes not too salty nor too mild nor strange . So I believe it is a good omelette. The potato along with omelette has skin on. I am a little upset of the potato skin. but maybe it is the right way to cook potatoes. I haven't tried many courses on menu. So far as I know, it is good.
(4)Emily L.
Awesome awesome awesome! I loved this cozy brunch spot for a mid week brunch setting. The coffee was delicious and the waitress was knowledgeable about the assortment of teas. I had the Turkish eggs with a blueberry muffin (fresh from zingermans!) and both were incredible.
(5)Todd R.
This place is really good and it had good service. It wasn't really kid friendly though.
(5)Lauren T.
I lived in Ann Arbor for a few years and Zola was always one of my favorite places to go for brunch on the weekend. Two years ago I moved to Detroit and don't get back to AA all that often, so I was thrilled when I found myself there, yesterday, and decided to go there for a late breakfast. Oh, wow, Zola, things have gone downhill ... My husband ordered the Florentine crepe and I ordered the Americana breakfast with breakfast sausage. While my eggs and potatoes were fine, the sausage was way too well-done and hard (and it may have been my imagination, but it also seemed like the portion size had decreased since my last visit a couple of years ago). I was actually somewhat surprised that they had served it to me. My husband, who is normally not picky in the least, didn't even finish his crepe. We were expecting a creamy, cheesy, spinach crepe. Instead, it was boiled spinach with a slight drizzle of creme fraiche. The spinach had zero seasoning and was bland beyond belief. Taking solace in the fact that at least there was bread and butter and coffee, I slathered some herb butter on the crusty bread. Even the butter was bad -- bland, unsalted, and seemed slightly rancid. i always raved about Zola whenever given the chance. Sadly, those days are over. Afterwards, we salvaged the day by going across the street to Frita Batidos for a passion fruit batido and a walk around the Arb to help us forget about the bland, boring, overcooked meal we had just experienced.
(2)Jenne E.
Good food. Smaller portions, salmon and crab cakes are excellent. The apple pie dessert is delicious
(4)Elçin H.
I came here with my mom for Mother's Day. We sat outside. An overall, great place. Friendly, casual atmosphere and great food!
(5)Rachel A.
I've been coming here for 12 years now and it's still one of my favorite downtown Ann Arbor spots. I can say with certainty that I've never had a bad meal here, and I've had many dinners and brunches over the years. I've always had good, attentive service and the servers always are well versed on the menu. My personal favorite for dinner - the Chimichurri Tango, which I has recently been renamed, simply, "flat iron steak". Different name, same delicious meal. For brunch, I always end up getting one of the omelettes, although Zola is well known for crepes. I can't pass up a good omelette!
(5)Nicole W.
I never leave a work trip underfed. Malnourished is never going to happen to this girl. Yelp Community Managers are *the absolute best* food guides in their city and Annette J certainly did not disappoint! Cafe Zola is a beautiful and delicious stop in Ann Arbor. Filled with friendly staff, plenty of light, and cozy surroundings, it's a lovely spot for a cup o' joe or a full on brunch experience. The menu is stuffed with sweet and savory options, offering something for just about any craving. After much deliberation between the savory or sweet, I went with the strawberry banana crepe to accompany my cool and tasty decaf iced Americano. The crepe offered a beautiful texture and tons of fresh fruit. And while the crepe was indeed tasty, my side order of Edward's sausage knocked my socks off. I don't know how Edward makes that sausage so flavorful and nitrate free, but man he does it. Normally I'm not crazy about breakfast sausage, but this one is bursting with flavor that it's a must to offering a yang to the sweet crepe. When I find myself in Ann Arbor again, I'll definitely make time to visit Cafe Zola!
(4)Maggi I.
Make no mistake: I go to Zola for the crepes. It's #3 on my list of breakfast places in Ann Arbor. Their breakfast dishes are plentiful and delicious, made with fresh ingredients. They have great tea and smoothies and their breakfast potatoes are not fried. There are too many good things on the menu to list suggestions, but the Frittata Zola is fantastic. On weekend mornings, Zola is loud and crowded. The seating is not very comfortable. I still go on weekends sometimes, but I'm more likely to be found there weekday mornings before work with one savory and one sweet crepe.
(4)Megan K.
This is my favorite brunch / lunch spot in Ann Arbor. Every time I go, I plan to order the Turkish breakfast and then hope that someone else orders the salad trio so that I can share, and then, when I get my wish, I don't want to share and get territorial over all of the delicious cheese and pastries. Yum.
(4)Alex E.
I've decided I need to start normalizing by Ann Arbor. Cafe Zola's food is perfectly acceptable, as opposed to my previous rating of 2 stars. Nothing (to me) really stands out as super amazing, but everything was cooked just fine and none of the sauces detracted from their dish (as it should). Yes, it's pricey, but there's a slew of other restaurants on Main/Liberty/Washington that are just as pricey and not as good. I haven't been to brunch, so I can't speak to that.
(3)Amy D.
Ann Arbor hosts a plethora of weekend brunch spots, and according to fellow Yelpers, Cafe Zola is the place to partake in this end of the week reward. We dined here on the Easter wknd, and we were lucky enough to be seated immediately. We opted out of getting a drink, but i was very impressed with their selection of beverages, alcoholic or non. I chose the Strawberry Banana crepe with freshly sliced strawberries, served with Michigan maple syrup and crème Chantilly. Since i do not like bananas, our server was kind enough to make the crepe exclusively with strawberries at no extra charge. Being from Canada, i am biased to our maple syrup, but there is something about Michigan Maple, it is delicious, i came home from this trip with two bottles in tow. My crepe was tender, and the Chantilly was a nice welcome to the standard whipped cream. My only complaint was the disbursement of the strawberries, they were all in the middle and none around the border. I simply opened up the crepe and moved the fruit around to ensure a strawberry in each bite. My sis had the Strawberry-Banana Delight waffle with fresh strawberries, bananas, crème Chantilly and Michigan maple syrup. I love how they make their waffles with Greek yogurt, it was original and it added a slight tanginess to the waffle. Overall it was slightly crisp, and was topped with the freshest fruit, and real Maple syrup. Overall, when you come to Zola's you can expect a tasty well executed meal using really fresh ingredients. I cannot wait to come here next year and try their Turkish breakfast.
(3)claudia l.
Yes, the food is great and our waiter was wonderful but do not take you elderly mother there on Mother's Day. I made a reservation weeks ahead of time but we still waited over 30 minutes to be seated. The worst part was my poor mother was smashed against a very crowded bar and banged about by people sitting at the bar. I asked the people at the desk to find a place for my mother to sit several times . . . .all ignored. Great food . . must be a friend of the owner to be seated quickly.
(2)Javier G.
Had the french toast. Nice portions, tasted pretty good, but it was pretty pricy ($12??). Angelo's has comparable if not better french toast for a few bucks less.
(3)Marla S.
Great service!! Went here for my birthday dinner a couple of nights ago. Not only was the waitstaff very attentive but the food was amazing!! I had the sea bass but everyone else I was with had great meals as well (salmon burger, pasta, steack). Also, they gave me a free birthday dessert (banana nutella crepe) which was AMAZING!!
(5)M. S.
I should start by saying that I love the food & ambiance at Zola and often choose to go there for special occasions, but on my latest trip there on Sunday, I was a little disappointed with our experience. It seems like Zola's become a victim of its own success in some ways. I was seated at a table where I kept getting jostled by people going by; it seems like they should take out one table to avoid packing people in like sardines. The service was very nice, but toward the end of our time there, we started getting the hustle to give up the table (and we had only been there for an hour and fifteen minutes). Three different people, none of whom was our server, asked us if we needed a box for our food within the course of two minutes, and one woman brusquely cleared the water glasses off the table as we were about to leave but still seated. Meanwhile, they were so busy that requests for things like a knife, etc, went unheeded. I know Zola is busy on weekends and they wanted the table for the next set of customers, but it still left kind of a bad taste in my mouth. I don't go out for brunch often, but when I do, I like to be relaxed and not hurried out. Furthermore, I'm sensitive to the fact that we shouldn't take up tables all day. However, I think this was a case where they were so focused on getting the next round of customers seated that they were rude to ones who were already there. It's too bad, and I hope that they address this issue with their staff, as I really do love to come to this restaurant.
(4)Joan G.
Too much people, so u should not expect too much attention. Great snowball waffles with the best ice cream as topping. And the coffee mocha was fabulous! However, I did not enjoy the smoked salmon omelette.
(4)Derek R.
We were here for a Sunday brunch and ended up waiting for almost double their estimated time due to several large parties that showed up around the same time we did. I felt kind of bad for some of the large parties as the owner/manager (?) was remarkably rude to customers waiting for tables. One gentleman in the waiting area had a bloody mary spilled on his camel colored jacket by a member of the waitstaff, which happens sometimes in a busy restaurant, but the woman in charge seemed put off by the fact that he was upset about it. She just handled it really poorly. So, while the personality of the restaurant left a lot to be desired, the food was decent. Nothing special and not terribly different from food that can be had elsewhere in Ann Arbor for vastly less money. We had a party of three, one of whom is five years old, and the bill came to about $65 (with no alcohol and before the tip!) which is highway robbery when you take into account the lousy environment, middling food, and exceedingly long wait. Needless to say I will not be going back. I've been here twice and both times were ruined by my experiences with the same manager/owner woman. She takes her customers for granted and treats them like an inconvenience. I cannot repeat it enough; avoid this place at all costs.
(1)Badrul F.
I like the ambiance. I don't really believe the price is justified, though. Food has been great every time, though.
(4)Joe H.
Review #100! My brother goes to U of M. Sometimes he needs a ride home and make the 60 minute drive to pick him up. Usually we go in the evening, make a dinner trip to Zingerman's Roadhouse or Jolly Pumpkin, but I now have a reason to pick him up in the morning. Thanks to the mostly positive reviews, I made sure we were visiting Zola. A Turkish breakfast spot? How could I say no. On top of that, my dad was with us and he likes to try multiple items at new places. The menu is extensive. Lots of goodies to try... First of all, French press coffee. Wow. The Ethiopian variety served that morning was incredibly rich and a had faint cinnamon flavor. So good. I ordered the Turkish eggs. Baked sunny side up eggs, French feta, and sauteed spinach served with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. On the side, I had chorizo. Many layers of flavor. Perfectly cooked eggs with creamy yolk, briny/tangy feta, earthy/sweet spinach, and super fresh cukes & tomatoes. All elements accentuate each other. Salty & spicy chorizo was an excellent compliment to the fresh, rich eggs. Other dishes sampled: excellent thick cut bacon incredible breakfast sausage (as an aside, I was incredibly disappointed that they were out of the locally made Polish sausage - oh well, a reason to return) spiced fruit & strawberry-banana waffles - the waffles have amazing texture and the toppings are fresh and amazingly flavorful Frittata Zola: an interesting mix of sweet, tangy, savory, and texturally complex French toast: even a simple dish like French toast is elevated here. Using Zingerman's bread helps, but the spicing is perfect with subtle sweetness. We waited nearly 30 minutes for a table at 10:00. When we left, it appeared that the wait time had increased considerably, but the wait is most definitely worth it. I would recommend everything we tried, but if I had to order one dish again it would be the Turkish eggs. Quite simply one of the best breakfasts around - period.
(5)Rick B.
Café Zola - 4 Stars: 7/12/12. A noisy yet welcoming little café just a hop skip and a jump from the University of Michigan campus. Walking distance. Nice selection of food...we showed up around brunch and had breakfast. Loved the waffle and the coffee. Our waiter was in training, so we had super service. Based on our first visit, we will return.
(4)Darin E.
Get there early for Sunday brunch. At 9:30: you sit right down. At 10:30: you wait for 30-45 minutes. The press pot of coffee was fantastic - We got the house Sumatran, but a lot of other choices were available (Ethiopian, Mexican, and on and on). I am not a sweets-for-breakfast sort of guy, but I am tempted to return soon for crepes or waffles. The menu looked fantastic. This time, I got the Turkish Eggs and they were done perfectly -- the menu says baked sunny side up, but think poached medium (without being watery at all). Served with the best tomato and cucumber I have had in a restaurant in ages - they actually tasted like they were from an heirloom garden. The bed of spinach, feta cheese, and olives balanced the sweetness of the tomato and cucumber. The thick crunchy sesame seed toast with herbed butter rounded things out. Just real good. Real real good. $40 for two breakfasts (including tip) makes this a once a year treat for this diner, but worth it every time.
(5)Ian S.
Have not been here for breakfast or brunch, but we ate dinner here on a Saturday night. It was a lively, hip atmosphere. The service was a little slow at first as the restaurant very crowded, but still on point. The appetizer (Lamb Kofta) was quite delicious and had an even more delicious mint yogurt sauced. After the Lamb was gone, my wife and I scraped up every last morsel of the sauce with bread provided on the table. The house salad was simple but good, with a light dressing and interesting flavor combinations (fennel, pomegranate, tangy vinaigrette). My wife had the ravioli for her entree, which had a delicious filling of goat cheese and a huge piece of well cooked (medium) salmon. The only complaint here was that a few of raviolis were a tad underdone, but she still finished what she could of the huge portion. My Hawaiian Sea Bass was delicately grilled and coated with a sweet Miso glaze - not overly sweet. It was served alond side some nicely sauteed, slightly bitter broccolini which provided a nice contrast in flavor to the sweeter fish. Although simple and plain, the jasmine rice perfectly soaked up the rest of the miso glaze left behind from the fish. For dessert we had a failry standard, but good creme brulee - which was supposed to be cinnamon flavored, but I could not taste over my glass of scotch. Overall, the hip type of place I would expect in Downtown Ann Arbor and didn't disappoint. We will be back to try brunch/breakfast and would eat dinner again for sure.
(4)Brian G.
This place could be good, but their prices are just outrageous. I guess they can away with it because there is often a line of folks waiting, and there are such slim pickings in Ann Arbor. My home base is in Houston - they would be out of business in a minute in TX. So I had an omelette (the house special plus avocado - it was OK not great by any means), my wife had the basic PLAIN waffle (she left half of it because it was dry) plus a side of bacon. I had a simple coffee (NOT latte or cappucino), my wife had a decaf tea. Thats is all, nothing else, nada. Including the standard 15% tip - $49 my friends - YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!!! - in the midwest, in the middle of a deep recession $50 for an omelette and a plain waffle with bacon. WHAT!!!!????
(2)Jeff B.
Not great, and certainly not worth the $95+ we spent. Food was fine but nothing very special or outstanding about the experience
(2)Trevor M.
The brunch menu was really extensive and I usually hate huge menus but it was needed for what they offer. It is all really good food and recommend the crab cake eggs benedict, it is insanely good. I have eaten here in the evening before as well, and still talk about the octopus I had there
(4)Alejandro B.
Great food and nice atmosphere. They prepare eggs in a thousand different ways. Had the Salmon Hash with Yukon Gold Potatoes and Horseradish sauce and two eggs. Really tasty! Definitely worth checking out (and enduring the wait for a table). You won't be disappointed.
(4)Julia M.
This place was absolutely DELICIOUS! We came for dinner the night before and I got the penne pasta followed by the pudding. Pasta was delicious and very comfort-food esque. Simple yet delicious. Loved dinner so much that I came back for brunch the next day! I got a café mocha (yum!), farmhouse omelet, and then my mom and I split the Black Forest waffle for dessert. Everything was so yummy - especially the waffle which is one of the best I have ever had. Ambiance/decor of the restaurant is also very fun. Everyone should come here!
(5)Shellie D.
I like the trend of this place... they try to use local and/or organic ingredients... I got the artichoke baked omelet and I wasn't really a fan (and they didn't serve fresh artichoke, it was from the jar)...baking the omelet made the eggs dry and it was more like a pie. My friends ordered the chicken sandwich, crepes and the All Americana, and they enjoyed it.
(3)I G.
Well what can I say...for the price it's all hype. Food is ok. If you want to spend this kind of money I would suggest Zingermans Road House. I ordered the Kobe Burger and it was ok but didn't leave me saying, this was a $13.95 burger!! My wife ordered the Grilled Chicken sandwich which she thought was good. However we noticed some tables with baskets of bread. I asked a young gentleman If the bread comes with certain dishes and he replied "no it's for tables with four or more". Well we saw a table with three that had the bread. Also why only tables with four or more? With the prices of the meals you certainly should give complimentary bread baskets. Just to add Zingermans Road House will give you as much bread as you want!!
(2)Maria M.
My best friend was in town and we decided to try Cafe Zola and it was great! We both really enjoyed our meal and the delicious coffee. The cafe itself is a little crowded, the servers had bumped into my chair a few times, but it does look very cute and trendy in there! We went there on a Sunday and got there at 9:30 and we were seated pretty quickly. When we left at around 10:45 it was PACKED and a very long wait! It is pretty pricey, especially for breakfast food, so I would probably only go back for special occasions, not many students can afford a $14 breakfast. Our server was very nice and made great recommendations. Overall it was a nice place to take a friend visiting from out of town :) Just get there early on weekends for breakfast!
(4)Michael G.
Had a great post Michigan commencement brunch. All 7 of us thoroughly enjoyed our meal and, despite being ultra busy, our waitperson was friendly, helpful and patient (many in our party asked for modifications of a menu item. I ordered the frittata on the menu, with spinach added at the suggestion of our waitperson. It was outstanding and was served with perfectly browned red potatoes seasoned liberally with rosemary. I also tasted the red lentil soup which was thick and savory. I wish we has more opportunities to visit AA so we could head back to Cafe Zola.
(5)Liz W.
Yes it was a bit spendier than some places and yep the service was none too speedy but seriously, I think it is good food and I am no yuppie. We needed to get out a bit, I wanted a nice place to take my mom, who can occasionally be picky. A ladies lunch/brunch if you will. One should take time to enjoy a decent day in Michigan. I warned her the service here was iffy according to some but we were not at peak hours (after lunch rush) and we had nothing but time on our hands. We decided why not... Our server was actually very charming and we liked the atmosphere. We split a smoked salmon omelette and a roasted vegetable salad. Both were made with quality ingredients and were delicious. I loved the turkish vinaigrette. I also loved sharing as it made deciding what to get oh so much easier... We both had pots of tea. I will give any restaurant that makes a nice pot of tea for me kudos. The oolong was perfectly brewed and heavenly. My mom seemed very happy with the darjeeling. We were both sad to be filled up by lunch, I think the blintz crepe was on both our minds...farmer's cheese and cherries. Yeah that would be a way to make a woman in my family happy. All in all a charming experience. I think it helped matters that they were not hugely busy and that we were not in a big rush or on any type of budget.
(4)Matt M.
My brother, his wife, and I ate at Café Zola last night, to celebrate my brother's birthday. He's a grad student at the University of Michigan and as I've visited him over the years, we've had breakfast at Zola a couple times - largely to sip their delicious cappuccinos. I've never had dinner there, and I've even heard that eating there for dinner is "pretentious." (I can't say why, I'm just parroting what I've heard.) The prices for dinner aren't cheap, and I was nervous that we'd leave feeling like we needed another meal but too broke to pay for it. However, I was very pleasantly surprised. Yes, the food is expensive, but it's not only delicious, it's also served in large quantities - my brother and his wife split a meal and it was more than enough food, especially with our appetizer and salad. They ordered steak and loved it. I had salmon and it was tasty too. Our waitress was good - opinionated, sassy, and neither too attentive nor too absent. My brother showed his ID to prove it was really his birthday, and was treated to a huge Nutella and banana crepe. The entire experience was classy, and we left feeling great about the choice we made for where to celebrate my brother's birthday. No, it isn't cheap, but the value is great.
(5)Adam S.
Excellent crepes, good, strong coffee, fair service -- tough to beat. We haven't tried the rest of the menu yet, but I have no reason to believe it is any less stellar. Probably the best brunch food we've had in A2, and among the best I've ever had. Even with the weekend crowds, we got a table in 20 min (no reservations) and were served promptly.
(5)Bob G.
My daughter is a graduate student at University of Michigan. She recommended Cafe Zola for a family dinner. We made a 7 pm reservation and were very hungry after a day of touring the school for my younger daughter who is considering applying as an undergraduate at University of Michigan. The hostess offered us the table for 4 next to the door. It was a very cold area with the door constantly being opened by customers. It also is so close to the hostess that it is more or less part of the waiting area for customers waiting for a table. We asked to wait for the next table in the main part of the restaurant. The hostess rather snidely told my wife that the next table wouldn't be open for 1-1/2 hours. This certainly was a lie and a means to force us to take the table near the door. Despite our unhappiness, we tried the table. It became clear rather quickly that it wasn't going to work for us. We asked again and the hostess repeated her lie that there were no tables other than a table for 2 where she would stuff us in. The hostess became even ruder. I told my wife and kids to find another restaurant while I chatted with the manager. I waited 10 minutes for the manager, who apparently was serving tables. She never came to see me which left me in the waiting area grumbling to the other customers. I must say that it couldn't have been handled any worse. I left quite angry. I never write restaurant reviews on blogs. However, this terrible customer service deserves making an exception.
(1)Ryan B.
Yes, this is the best brunch in A2! When first entering, I was stunned by the atmosphere. Bright light floods the dining room bringing the red out of brick walls and arches. Then I had their coffee which not only was actually fresh but was constantly refilled by waitstaff with cute little vials in hand. Then I enjoyed the best omelet I've ever had, the Frittata Zola. Not only have I never had anything like it, but I've never heard of anything like it. The portion was huge, came with a side of the best redskin potatoes I've ever tasted and also herb buttered whole grain toast. I was full the rest of the day. It seems the common complaint is the prices and the wait. I had no problem getting a table and thought the prices were well worth the quality of the food. If you're looking for a quick buttermilk pancake and standard cup of coffee, this is not your place. But if you're in for a classy cafe with zesty flavors, unique combinations and incomparable quality prepare yourself for Cafe Zola!
(5)Jason C.
This place has some great food but it's very expensive!
(4)Wade D.
How many wonderful things can I fit into a review. Crepes, omelets, french press coffee, blood orange mimosas... I think the short list would be negative comments. It's kinda pricey. But soooo worth it!
(5)Eric B.
The closest thing to a big city brunch you'll get in ann arbor, and they do a solid job. If you're looking for a french press full of Blue mountain or Kona coffee with whatever omlet, crepe, pancakes or untraditional breakfast item (like turkish eggs), this is your place and you will not be dissapointed. The environment is upscale without being too pretentious, making it my favorite upscale restaurant in town. It is also my go to place for steak in Ann Arbor!
(5)Aaron B.
This is really the kind of place I like, but this particular version is no good. They try REALLY HARD to make their food different and "special" but my experiences have been disappointing. I'm sure the yokels think it's something amazing and new and all the crap that Ann Arborittes say to make themselves feel good about living in that worthless piss-hole village, but it's mostly hype and little substance. Add on top of that the fact that the places is typically loud and uncomfortable, with sketchy service. Again, average for Ann Arbor, but there are better places of this kind in any real city that you'd go to...and the same kind of place with better food and a better atmosphere would be cheaper in a city too.
(2)Kathy L.
I'm a sucker for both asparagus and sunny-side-up eggs with toast, so I ordered the special which included those things, even though it cost $11.39. I was shocked and dismayed when my waitress brought me a plate with ~5 stalks of asparagus underneath two eggs, and some slices of bread which were probably from a loaf that was $1 at Kroger. $11.39 + tax. There wasn't anything special about it. Some people are willing to pay that, I guess (there was quite a wait to get seated), but not I, when I have the Northside Grill right down the street. Actually, the special came with potatoes too, but my server forgot to bring them to me until I finally got a hold of her (when we were finished eating), and she didn't give us a discount (in fact, barely an apology).
(2)C B.
This was my first visit to cafe zola and after looking at the menu while waiting I was very very excited. I wanted to sit all day and try most everything. The fact that there was such a long wait was also making me think I was in for the best food of my life. I wish it was! I had the farmhouse omelette-it was beautiful and there seemed to be enough filling. The ruiner-nothing was seasoned! It was bland egg wrapping olive oiled veggies, ham, and some cheese. I used ketchup to give it some flavor it needed and ate about half preferring to go for the bread basket w/ the wonderful strawberry preserves. The redskin potatoes were also just good-they were very olive oily that could of used a couple more minutes of cooking time. i did start with tomato bisque soup though and that blew my mind. so. so so good. that tipped the scales for sure. Why am i giving it 3 stars-i would totally go there again! if i do and it's the same experience i would most likely change my rating to a 2. but as of now the soup and bread along w/ experience is keeping cafe zola a positive memory!
(3)Ms.Brie C.
First time at Cafe Zola. My crepe was excellent, just as expected. My companion's salad looked quite good but we were put off by added costs, $ for tomatoes, $ for cucumbers. Since when are salads treated like pizzas? The server was not particularly friendly when we inquired if the salad toppings cost extra. Also, the smoothies sounded appealing until I noticed they were ~$7 (I'll save my funds for an affordable one at Smoothie King, thank you very much). I'd consider returning, if I could afford it.
(3)Max M.
While I can agree with many folks here about the quality of service (excellent) and the quality of the food (also excellent-GREAT brewed coffee), the reason for the 3 stars is because of the overwhelming amount of noise in the restaurant. It was really overwhelming to the point where it was difficult to hear the person sitting very close next to me. That was very distracting for me, and took away from the dining experience. We were also there with a 1 year old, who was completely over stimulated - so we spent a lot of time taking her for walks out side to not add her discomfort to the cacophony. Again, food excellent. We were there for Sunday Brunch - even with a reservation (which I am surprised they provide on a Sunday Brunch). I had an Americano Breakfast, my partner had an omelette of some sort. I had about the best cup of brewed coffee ever at a breakfast place - that was always filled, so the service was exceptional. It was a bit pricey - $12.00 for two eggs, tomatoes and some potatoes - and my exceptional but basic brewed coffee was $4.50 (wow!). We were also there with about 8 other people so it got unwieldy.
(3)Ian P.
Me: What coffee do you have today? Waitress: Brazilian, Ethiopian, Kenyan... Me: Where in Ethiopia is it from? Waitress: Look of shear terror and confusion (thinks what kind of freak asks this question)...runs off to ask. Coffee: Absolutely amazing Ethiopian Harrar (waitress told me Harupa lol). Actually the coffee was the best coffee I've had in the last 6 months. So this place gets some mad props for that. I was there at brunch and also had a Belgian waffle made with buckwheat which was quite tasty. My hetero friend couldn't stop raving about how hot the waitress was. I definitely felt like they were rushing me out though and I hate that! I wasn't going to linger all day, but I did want some conversation time over my delicious coffee. All in all a pretty good experience.
(4)Andrew C.
Ambiance and service are good. (4 stars) Prices and food are not (2 stars). Came here from out of town on a wedding. Yelped breakfast, and this place came out. These prices are outrageous for such mediocre food. Nothing special don't bother.
(3)Jessie S.
Wedding anniversary brunch! My husband and I decided to splurge a little bit and take ourselves out for a nice brunch to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. This was our first visit to Cafe Zola and we had read such great reviews of the place. We were given a great table in the front window. The staff was very friendly and attentive however I did not expect the menu to be so expensive. Holy crap! I ordered the champignon crepe. It was flavorful and light and covered my entire plate. The dish didn't disappoint with the amount of mushrooms in the porcini mushroom sauce. It's important to note when ordering the crepe that all you receive is the crepe, no fruit or other accompaniment. As a result, I only ate half of it as I got bored with eating so much of the same thing. Did I mention that it cost $11.95? My husband ordered the asparagus and goat cheese omelette. This dish cost $14.95 and consisted of 3 scrambled eggs overcooked in a pan then folded over grilled asparagus and goat cheese. It was served with a side of rosemary-garlic roasted red skin potatoes. There wasn't anything particularly special about this omelette. The eggs were not very fluffy. The asparagus was good, but it was simply grilled asparagus. The side of potatoes were good, but nothing out of the ordinary. I suppose I'm just confused as to what makes this dish so special that it justifies charging $15.00. We really wanted to like Cafe Zola, but it just didn't make sense as to why it is so expensive. Please note that I just moved to Ann Arbor from San Francisco and am not a stranger to paying for expensive food. However when paying $10+ for a breakfast dish there should be something about it that makes it stand out and be truly worth what you are paying. It was very disappointing to pay such an exorbitant amount for food that is nothing special, only less greasy than neighboring competitors.
(2)Kristin W.
I headed to Cafe Zola for a to-go breakfast and debated between the omelettes and the crepes. I ended up ordering the Smoked Salmon Omelette, which was a bit pricey at $16.95, but certainly fresh and delicious. I can't wait to go back and try crepes and more omelettes!
(5)laura g.
When I only had time to eat at two restaurants on a recent A2 visit, this was one.
(5)Benjamin S.
I just dont see what the big draw to this place is. EXTREMELY overpriced, sub par food, poor service. Are people really willing to pay this much just for the atmosphere? I have tried this place probably half a doezen times and have been more and more dissapointed with each visit. The omlets are absolutely horrible and the standard "bacon & eggs" dish is nothing to celebrate and is close to $10. WIth all the breakfast options in AA, I fail to see how this place stays in business.
(2)Mary W.
We went last year and although the food is very good, love their waffles, teas and big cup cappuccinos, the service wasn't so great. It wasn't even a busy morning but the server was too busy with customers she seems to recognize and didn't even bother to check on our table.
(2)Christopher F.
Came here for dinner during Ann Arbor's restaurant week. For starter we ordered the fig with goat cheese and the blue crab cakes, both were outstanding. The crab cake is nicely seasoned and the remolaude was terrific. For salad we ordered the insalata caprese and an arugula salad with pears and walnuts. Bot were amazing, the buffalo mozzarella was like butter, the tomatoes were wonderful. The arugula salad was just as wonderful love the grilled pear and sweet walnuts. For entree we ordered the chimichuri steak and lamb chops, both were absolutely fantastic. The steak was a little spicy and the chimichuri was wonderful. The service was great, this place is pricey, but they deliver.
(5)Amanda P.
Eh - I went for a meeting with colleagues before work on a muggy, warm morning. They hadn't turned the air conditioning on, and it was hotter inside than outside. I know it's Michigan and not everyone does AC here, but when you run an establishment with industrial grade ovens/stoves in the back of it, let's run the AC in June? Okay, I'm sweating - time to order coffee. The coffee was pretty good - I thought it was cool that they allow you to order it the trendy way by region instead of being boring about it. I wanted something savory and not sweet for breakfast, so I went with the Salmon Hash, which sounded odd to me in theory but I thought I would be adventurous since I love salmon and hash. What could go wrong? When they served it, I stared at it for a moment because it wasn't really a hash - it was more like a salmon latke or a salmon patty like my mom used to make. But when I had a bite, it had no flavor and honestly tasted a bit burnt. It was almost as if they had sliced everything tiny, but had still cooked the potatoes longer so they were kind of burnt, the onions bitter, and the salmon was indistinguishable. The "horseradish cream sauce" on top tasted like foamed parsley puree. Just bland bland bland. It was gross. The eggs on top were cold, and I didn't even salt it - I just sat there grumpy and shiny determined to enjoy the coffee and conversation. Brunch doesn't seem too bad here, so I would maybe try it again if anyone wanted to go there. There are at least 5 other places I would go first for breakfast in AA.
(2)James R.
Ok. There are 2 negatives about this place. 1. The wait. The restaurant is decently sized, but it has almost NO waiting area for people waiting to be seated. So you've got to huddle just inside the door and be in the way of everyone coming in or out, or wait outside, and hope that the person doing the seating bothers to check outside. 2. Not cheap. Seriously not cheap. I think breakfast for my wife and I was north of $50, mostly boosted by a mimosa for her, and a mocha for me. Both of which were fantastic. Everything else? Positively wonderful. The crepe I had was amazing, with ham, and cheese and egg, in just the best possible ratios. Paper thin ham is something I wouldn't have thought I would enjoy. Either way, try to sneak in here on a weekday and enjoy truly gourmet food, just be prepared for a wait, and a bit of sticker shock.
(5)Alyssa R.
What to say about Café Zola, other than it's perfect, and worth every expensive cent/ Located in Ann Arbor right in the downtown area, every time I make the drive I either go here or consider going here. Though this is for brunch nine times out of ten, I've had a couple of outstanding dinners here also (on those nights you think: F%$@ it! I'll pay for perfection!) Here's why. Brunch: My two favorites: Turkish eggs: Two eggs surrounded by organic spinach, a block of feta, and marinated vegetables. And the Artichoke Omelette, which also happens to include green beans, potatoes, roasted red pepper, red onions and cheddar. It says a lot that I don't add anything to either dish as I am a frequent customizer: But these dishes are PERFECT as they are. I can't order anything else, even though they have crepes and homemade bread/ jam baskets and a whole host of other culinary delights. If you know Ann Arbor, then you know that Café Zola is enhanced by serving many options from Zingerman's, the local farm/ restaurant. Ann Arbor is really unique because many restaurants cater to vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and locavores by sharing between businesses. And almost anything with Zingerman's on the menu will have a fresh and local quality that can't be beat. But back to breakfast: You'll get a fresh bread basket, and you need to get their house made ketchup on the side even if you don't like ketchup. Don't worry, it's more of a preserve that tastes of apples and a variety of spices, and I put it on everything from bread, to potatoes, to omelettes. I'd buy a gallon if it would keep! Dinner: The lamb and filet are the two I've tried here, and they are pitch perfect. Think presentation, taste, and quality of ingredients and preparation. If you're going for dinner, you already know you want to splurge, and also that it will be worth it. I've never had a bad meal here, and out of town guests are always impressed no matter where they're from. So it's a safe option when you have a little extra cash and someone to impress. Even when you're on a budget, I've been perfectly happy splitting the omelette with a friend and getting a couple sides (add bacon and potatoes!) It's my 'to go' place in Ann Arbor, and probably on most other people's short list as well.
(5)Gerry B.
What a splendid afternoon in A2, and a nice time to stop in at Zola's. Quick seating, an attentive server (ask for Leah, she listens well and is very helpful). My omelet was well prepared and the Americano coffee was hot and flavorful, despite all of the half and half I added (I basically try to drown the bean, Leah will confirm this). Cannot ask for much more. Thanks for a solid dining experience.
(5)Bonnie Z.
I came here for restaurant week. The starter and salad was good, (mussels and kale salad) but my main dish (lamb) was bland and dry and the portion was tiny. I honestly just expected more.
(3)Debbie C.
This is one of my favorite Restuarant's in Ann Arbor. They have the best tasting variety of foods. The staff is the utmost courteous the owners have a Knick for choosing the proper wait staff to serve their customers. I like to frequent business's where the owners are visible and attentive to their guests. The atmosphere is outstanding and the food is incredible. If you are visiting Ann Arbor or live in Ann Arbor go check it out. Cafe Zolas is an icon that should not be missed. My personal favorite for breakfast is The Heidey's Breakfast. Enjoy!
(5)Kip W.
Don't go here hungry! Why? Because by the time you are seated and served you WILL be hungry and I would hate for you to start gnawing at your fingers. I do love the food! You just can't go here and eat on a budget or be in a hurry. You will easily drop $12-$15 on an omelette. They charge you extra for just about everything. In fact, I'm surprised they don't charge more for special oil to fry your food in. This being said, The Farmhouse Omelette and the Southwestern Omelette are awesome and filling. If you have a sweet tooth, the crepes are great as well. I love the coffee, love the coffee! I've mostly been here for breakfast, but have been there a couple times in the evening for dinner and they have a killer Basil Martini. The food is almost worth the wait, almost.
(4)Nathan E.
I stayed away from this place for years, and I'm sorry that I did because Cafe Zola rocks! I'd say it was during the mid-'90s when I lived a few blocks away and had a heroine-using housemate for one summer who waited tables at Zola when it first opened. My friends and I didn't like the housemate very much, and we called Zola the smack-addict cafe. Well, something close to 20 years have passed, and Zola is so much more than a place for smack addicts to work. I'm really sorry I characterized it so badly back in the day. Anyway, now it's the 21st century, and I come here for brunch whenever I'm in Ann Arbor. I almost always get the Turkish eggs (baked over spinach and feta! Yum!). And I'm sure everything else is great too. I watched the guy at the table next to me today eating a waffle with ice cream and syrup on top. I wouldn't do that, but it was fun to watch! The owner is a lady from Turkey, and I don't remember her name. But she's quite colorful and friendly and often at the host stand. I'd say that she IS the ambience at Zola, and it's fun just to chat with her. The service is always great, although sometimes it can be pretty busy. Dog friendly at the outside tables. Family friendly all around. And I'm so glad that my smack addict housemate doesn't work there anymore. I hope the owner fired her:)
(4)Coll P.
There has got to be a better way to seat people at this place...we tried to go once without a reservation, waited fifteen minutes as we watched people losing their shit that they were getting skipped over and left. We tried again with a reservation and learned that this means NOTHING. We waited and waited and once again got to watch some funny situations of people getting called, walking up to the host and her telling them it would be fifteen more minutes, then seating someone who just walked in. IYYYYYYYYYYY. When we were finally sat I ordered a hot chocolate to warm up and it was more like hot milk albeit with delicious whipped cream. Bummer. They have tons of possibilities for brunch though and everything that we ordered was...good. The crepes seemed to be the biggest hit amongst us.
(3)Andrew Z.
I was part of a reservation for 13 people for a birthday brunch for my sister. We made the reservation 3 week prior. What was meant to be a happy Sunday turned unhappy by our experience at Zola. We were met by the disrespectful owner/host/manager who "didn't care" that we had a reservation and said "lots of other people had special occasions". Also, reservations don't really matter and they seat based on when people sign in??? Wah?? Never got a chance to try the food but will never go there again based on the disrespect and "customer always last" attitude that met my party at the door.
(1)C Y.
Wonderful for dinner with kids even though no "kids menu". Also they have a NUT-SAFE procedure! They can serve people with severe tree nut and peanut allergies; know the origin of their ingredients and segregate prep for your specific order. Something tasty, special and sophisticated for everyone, simple to highbrow palates!
(5)Chris K.
Delicious. You get what you pay for. Usually seated more quickly than the time they quote you (people walk away; don't go anywhere!), the servers were helpful and polite. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Matt N.
I love this place! The food is a bit on the pricey side but totally worth it!! The waffles are made with yogurt, and the bacon is local and smoked in a special way that gives it so much flavor. I also have gotten the monte Christo and it was amazing and so are their salads! I've never eaten anything here that wasn't top notch! Breakfast, lunch, dinner. It's all good! Lattes and coffee is really good too!
(5)Lucy Y.
Zola seems overrated. I had one guest with me and we were seated near the window, where a couple was absolutely silent, holding each other hands. Woaah, didn't mean to interrupt a weirdly intimate moment! The seating is very cramped. Dinner was terrible for their prices. My pumpkin squash ravioli was listed as a specialty, came out as $19 (with chicken), and was dry and undercooked. How do two cocktails come out for $22.50?? Absolutely absurd. Not to mention my guest's filet mignon was burnt and had a tangy sauce to it. The strawberry mojito, creme brulee, and butternut squash somewhat redeemed the quality of the food, but I would not waste my money on dinner here.
(2)Sarah C.
So my parents came to visit me in Michigan for the first time! Going to Ann Arbor is a must. I looked through Yelp and found this place. It was highly rated so why the heck not? I am always worried about seating and even around noon we were able to get seats inside. Everyone wants to be outside in the sun. My parents don't want to get skin cancer so we sat inside. It did get pretty busy a bit later. It is always a bit difficult to order for my parents since they rarely eat out and when they do its Chinese food. Smoked Salmon Omelette15.95 Durham's Tracklements smoked salmon, fresh tarragon, scallions and a creamy mustard sauce make this elegant omelette a gourmet favorite. - My mom loves fish and I ordered this for her. It was a disappointment seeing how there was barely any salmon in this. POO. I ordered an open faced omelette with onions and mushrooms. I ate about 1/5 of it and stopped. It tasted like nothing! X_X I did like the potatoes it came with. Without the potatoes it would have been zero stars. Chicken Salad11.95 Chunk chicken, red grapes and vegetables, topped with toasted almonds on challah.- My dad ordered this and surprisingly enough he loved it. He doesn't eat sandwiches like a normal person though. He eats sandwiches and basically everything with utensils. Haha. Like other reviews have mentioned. It did take a while for us to get our food so if you are really hungry maybe order an appetizer. The bathrooms are really nice! 4 stars! I definitely wouldn't come back.
(2)Jordan K.
Great place for breakfast in Ann Arbor. Big menu with many options!
(5)Edwina S.
I mostly end up eating bunch here. Yes, I have a brunch thing... i like to munch on brunch... trying new places, etc etc. Some places are worth coming back to, over and over and over and Zola. The drinks are great, the food is fabulous, the wait sucks arse so bad you could smash a window. Book a table so as to spare the windows, ok? Crepes are ok (speaking actual shell here... Julia Child's recipe will yield a better crepe for you at home IMHO), but the fillings are good. Two thumbs up on the following omlettes I have devoured: Artichoke, Smoked Salmon, Asparagus and Goat Cheese (i grok goat cheese); only one thumb up for the Istanbul (i didn't care for their feta... go with goat cheese... rotflmho) My favorite cocktail remains the Ginger Dragon. Now... to complain... what IDIOT installed the lights near the tables up top?! I have had the window seat a few times... and the heavy glass son-of-a-biscuit whacks me in the head repeatedly (I'm 5'9... average male height... sigh... grrr) DUCK!
(5)Boris S.
Banana Nutella Crepes $13 (5/5 NOMs) Honey I crepe you so much, Great way to start the day with desert crepe. You can never go wrong with nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread! Lets add some , ice cream, banana slices, toasted almonds, crème chantilly and raspberry sauce. Its like an over topped crepe of goodness. Frittata Zola $13 (5/5 NOMs) Open face omelet? That is just weird and wrong and maybe the best omelet ever created! They just might have turned my omelet work face up! Comes with a nice mix of nomnom goodies like sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, challah croutons and tangy goat cheese. Its like eating a very advance egg pancake. So if you are in town for brunch, stop by and order this. Home Fries (4/5 NOMs) Pretty good home fries. Comes great with any order.
(5)Allison B.
Hands down one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. There were about a six things on the menu that I really wanted to have, and while I can't say I just broke down and ordered myself a smorgasbord, I was extremely happy with what I ultimately chose -- the Champignon crepe. It just couldn't have been anymore perfect and delicious. The mushroom sauce was very flavorful and the crepe itself was light yet the meal still left me satisfied. I also splurged on a bloody mary and a side of thick-cut local bacon that was so smokey, crisp, and awesome. My friends were equally pleased with their choices. I am not from Ann Arbor (or Michigan for that matter), but if I lived here I feel like I would be at Cafe Zola all the time. It's clear from the variety on their menu and how wonderful my fairly simple meal was that they know good food. This meal was the highlight of my visit!
(5)Albert T.
This place serves both brunch and dinner. In my experience, it is one of the best brunch spots in all of Ann Arbor. However, while their dinner menu is great, I don't find it to be on the same level as their brunch menu. On top of that, their beverage selection is great whether it is tea or wine you are seeking. During brunch, they serve great mimosas. As for service, I have never had a bad experience here. Each and every time I have been here the servers have been very attentive and adept at providing recommendations.
(4)Susan D.
We go to the downtown Zola about every three months and have for years. The omelets and other egg dishes are consistently good, with lots of fresh ingredients and yummy home fries on the side and good bread as well. Because we enjoy the food we tend to forget how desperately S-L-O-O-O-W the kitchen is. The servers themselves are great: personable, professional, etc. It is a kitchen issue - maybe not enough space or cooks or I don't know. Don't show up at noon on Sunday and expect to be served soon after your order has been taken. It can be a half hour to 45 min for an order of eggs to appear. But the food is good and plentiful once it arrives and That's why we keep going back.
(3)Jenny Z.
Went here for brunch one Saturday. I hear it's normally very busy, but on that particular day we didn't have to wait at all! Food is a little pricey, but it all tastes great. If you're extra hungry, I recommend sharing a pastries & preserves basket with the whole table--so good!
(4)Emily G.
4 years as a UM student and not once did I ever go to Zola. As my bestie and I sat in the patio and browsed the menu, we thought to ourselves "this is the kind of place your parents would take you out for brunch when they came to town, or celebrated a nice occasion".. "wait, this is the place you go when you can afford a $14 breakfast. Clearly not me in undergrad". Being able to afford a $14 breakfast (several years later) I obviously felt like a friggin' BOSS. So we sat outside, and ordered.. WHATEVER WE WANTED. Between the 2 of us we shared the Istanbul scramble and the spicy fruit waffle dish, which ended up being almost too much food for 2 overzealous girls. The Istambul Scramble was filled with ratatouille (a french veggie casserole with tomato, eggplant, zucchini and squash) and served with some rosemary potatoes. The eggs were fluffy, the stuffing was actually pretty mild in flavor but cooked at the right temperature (not hard but not turned to mush either). The rosemary potatoes were the absolute best, drowning with potent garlic and olive oil, and topped with some added organic hot sauce that was out of this world. Our spicy fruit waffle basically had an apple compote on top with some walnuts and cranberries. The waffle itself was cake-like, not your traditional style of waffle but still moist and tasty. The fruit on top had been mixed with honey, but it was so little that we needed more liquid to be able to chow down on the dense dish. Since our server was not outside (and didn't come out for a while), we asked another nearby server for some syrup to put on the waffle. He was incredibly sassy... and not in a good way. He told us that the waffle already had honey and we'd have to pay extra for syrup, and basically pointed his finger at us like we were two 5 year-olds getting punished. When our server came out, she got us a bit of extra honey for the waffle, which was free. Had it not been for the sassy waiter, our experience would have been 5 stars. The scramble was definitely a home-run, but the waffle dish definitely needs more moisture or liquid to balance the dense waffle and fruit combo.
(4)Virginia C.
They have Belgium waffles and crepes... enough said for good Brunch Must do: Champignon Crepe (porcini mushroom sauce is divine). I usually never like savory crepes (I tend to like them sweet), but this was fantastic. Belgium Waffles with Strawberry/Bananas- you must get the Michigan maple syrup- not the fake stuff.. Although this place gets busy on the weekends, I like the casual/family atmosphere- less of a 18 year old college vibe here than the others...--- so I will def. be back again.
(4)John F.
This is a great place for breakfast or lunch. They may take themselves a little too seriously but the food is great and the service is pretty solid. My only complaint would be the price. Something seems odd about paying $100 for a breakfast for 2-3. Other than the ridiculous prices, this is a very good spot and I continue to come back.
(4)Juliana M.
I've heard a lot of people rave about brunch at Cafe Zola, so maybe I went in with high expectations, but I was pretty disappointed with the dining experience. The place is extremely crowded, and the service was impersonal. Our food came out cold, and we had to send it back for them to heat up again in the microwave. The portions were small, and for the price, I expected much better flavors. I think I'll be sticking with Angelo's and Afternoon Delight for brunch instead - much more reasonable prices, better taste, and no cold food.
(2)Victoria B.
I was here over the wkd. I had Hediye's breakfast (Hediye's the owner with magenta hair and sometimes her lipstick matches her hair I've heard) anyways it's was delicious and it didn't have any other proteins beyond eggs and veggies. I'm not an olive lover but the olives were really good to my surprise :). My boyfriend had the classic three meat and eggs and he said it was really good. Needless to say we left full and happy. Our service there was excellent.
(4)Jay R.
Their sausage is smoked and delicious! Expensive but big worthwhile portions make the trip here absolutely necessary. This is the perfect place to experience Ann Arbor if you are a visitor. I came here as a kid and loved it, I came here with a cousin many years later and still love it! The bread is big but tastes so good! 5 stars for sure here.
(5)Vance W.
Have yet to be disappointed! I've come to Zola Cafe several times for brunch and had very good meals. The staff has always been friendly and attentive. Service overall has been great! Today I stopped by for lunch for a simple meatball sandwich. To my surprise this sandwich was anything but simple; definitely not ordinary. The flavor combination was amazing. It was much more than I expected! I recommend Zola's to anyone looking for quality food coupled with great service.
(4)John L.
YUMMM!!!! Had the open-faced artichoke omelet. Only thing is I wished it had some meat on it. BUT, its still quite delicious. I need to go back and try the rest of their menu. Great service. good atmosphere.
(5)Maddy S.
First time in Ann Arbor and wanted a nice cappuccino and small breakfast. Saw that the yelp reviews were overall positive and decided to try Cafe Zola out. I was seated right away with a friendly host, greeted by my server within a few minutes and gave my drink order. There were about 4-6 tables seated other than myself. Pros: quiet morning, nice ambiance, friendly host Cons: my menu was disgustingly dirty and sticky and took away from the experience/ turned me off right away, my server was very unenthused, I waited for my cappuccino for 10 minutes- looked around for my server for another 5 minutes and decided to find food and coffee elsewhere. Truly a bummer experience.
(1)Katie M.
Ann Arbor has so many wonderful places to eat, it was hard for me to pick where to have lunch with an extra special date (my 5 year old) last Friday afternoon. She wanted pancakes (and she is always perfectly satisfied with any Coney Island) but mamma wanted something more sophisticated than just an everyday coney. So Café Zola got our business. It was pretty busy in there, but also very warm! The doors were open to allow the servers to pass through to those eating on the patio, but there was really not a lot of air flowing through the place (we were seated in the middle/rear portion of the restaurant). My water was sweating and so was I. My date was extremely hungry and thirsty, so I was a bit annoyed when it took some time (about 5 minutes) for a server to approach our table, although tables around us were getting plenty of attention, despite being seated just after us. My date was wondering if the waitress was a turtle because she was really slow (No joke here, she seriously asked). I was impressed by the menu. How would I ever choose when so many savory brunchy options were available? Do I pick a unique omelet or go for a salad... too many options for an indecisive mind like mine! I opted for their chicken salad sandwich, my date got the regular waffle, but added fresh strawberries. Oh, and of course - chocolate milk (made with ganache, the waitress informed me). The chicken salad was very unique! It is made with very little mayo, which I liked! It does have olive oil in it, and I enjoyed the flavor a lot. It came on Zingerman's Challah bread, also very good, but I think I would have opted for a multigrain in the future. For $12, I was a little disappointed that the serving size wasn't larger. It came with veggie chips and a pickle. This place knows its waffles... like whoa. I am not a big pancake person - like I stated previously I would much rather order a salad or omelet. But I couldn't keep my fork outta this business. This thing was deceivingly delicious! Looks kind of boring upon arrival to the table, but then you take a bite.. and it melts in your mouth! MMMM MMM! The only problem I had with the waffle was the butter that came with it... it was really cold and I could not get it to spread nicely across the waffle (wow, I sound like a butter snob) and my date just loooooves her butter! Overall, I liked the charm of this place. All the tables I saw had beautifully presented food - and everything I had was great too. Yes, it was a bit pricier than a typical brunch date with my gal, but she is worth every penny!!
(4)Vishal S.
Of the multiple times I've tried this place, I have never had a good experience at Zola. That said this place is definitely very popular in AA and like most popular things, it's a downer. You will almost always have to wait to get a table here on weekends. So make a reservation. Food The taste is just meh. Granted it's breakfast food but I expect more for the price I pay. It is kind of like diner food with only slightly better ingredients. Meaning it relies on a truck load of grease and quantity. It leaves kind of a bad taste and I never feel good for hours and on after a Zola brunch. It is definitely overpriced for the quality of their food and service. I paid $60 for 2 people for a regular brunch, no drinks. Service The servers ask you for add-ons when you place an order. They never mention the extra charge and you see $3 entries creep up on your bill once you're done eating. I was asked if the server could 'fill' my diet coke again. Against my better judgement I said yes since the first glass was just filled with ice upto the brim with hardly any coke, and of course I was charged again for it. You are better off choosing another place to eat if you like welcoming and personable service. Sitting Super cramped. My guests and I tripped over twice just trying to get in and get out of our chairs. I don't think it is possible to fit more people in the space they have.
(2)Jennifer R.
Love their brunch! Salad Zola with avocado and tomato added....healthy and delicious. Great drinks, too. Hendricks lemonade was so good this summer!!!!
(5)Chelsea S.
Cafe Zola is one of the cutest and most delicious restaurants in Ann Arbor. I've been to Zola on a few occasions and have tried both their breakfast/brunch menu as well as their dinner menu. As great as their dinners are their breakfasts are what you should come for. The interior is charming and clean and provides an atmosphere that is easy to converse in. Service is exceptional and the menu is plentiful. I really love sitting outside on their outdoor tables in the sunshine for brunch. For food their omelets are unique and excellently prepared. Their waffles are sinful and decadent. Their Turkish eggs breakfast with the thick slabs of feta, tomatoes, cucumber, eggs, and bead for dipping is so fresh, simple, clean and flavorful. Their homefries are some of the best I have had; soft on the inside with great crispy exterior. Seal the deal with the fresh Zingerman baked bread basket, honey butter, and a French press to split and you will be so happy. The only reason I won't give it five stars is for the slightly steep prices (particularly at dinner) but I still love this place.
(4)Kate S.
I've checked out a few breakfast joints since I've moved here and nothing beats Cafe Zola. The atmosphere of the restaurant is warm and inviting. They have nice little touches too like real tulips in vases and coffee cake on cake stands on the bar. I ordered the orange juice to start and it was freshly squeezed and not from a bottle. My mom had a cappuccino, which was also very good. For breakfast, I ordered the strawberry-banana delight, which were the best waffles I have had in a LONG time. They mention in their menu that the waffles have more of a cake-like texture, and the difference is noticeable. I had to eat it all, even when my stomach hurt because it was that good! My mom got the Turkish Brunch, which was presented nicely and according to her, it tasted great. The only complaint I had was that service was a little slow, but it was a very busy morning for them and I didn't really mind it. Honestly, this is my new go-to breakfast joint. I recommending it to all my friends in the future!
(5)Breanna H.
I have heard only wonderful things about this place, but my first experience there did not at all reflect that. First off, we got there and waited over 10 minutes for someone to come and take a drink or food order. During this wait, another couple was seated directly behind us and was served immediately and ahead of us. Once we got to order, if was after 3pm and apparently they no longer serve eggs after 3. We never saw a sign out front, text on the menu, or heard from our server that this was the case. We then had to take more time to choose new menu items that did not include egg. Not all items on the menu specify whether they use egg, so you just get to use your best judgement on this. It's a game of luck! After about 20+ minutes of being in the restaurant we finally got to put in our order and requested to speak with a manager about our service. The manager never came and they ended up bringing me the completely wrong dish. This is one of the few times I didn't send it back because I could not get out of this place quickly enough. I must admit, the wrong food I got was pretty good, but not worth such a poor dining experience.
(2)Shirley C.
This is seriously where I have brunch every 2 or 3 days. Love the waffles, omelette, and most of the Zola's favorite. Will def stick to this place!!
(5)Lauren L.
I still love everything Cafe Zola for bunch/lunch. Cannot recommend it enough! However, I recently tried it for dinner and wasn't as excited. It was pretty empty when we showed up (especially compared to brunch), and I think I understand why. The menu didn't have a strong theme, unlike the brunch menu. It had some salads, some Italian items and some American/Mexican options. Nothing very unique or inventive. I also had bad sticker shock. I've been in Ann Arbor for a while now, and while I'm gradually adjusting for the costs, I still think Zola's dinner menu was especially overpriced. Nothing on the menu really stood out and we had a tough time choosing in the sense that nothing was exciting. I paid over $22 for what amounted to a medium sized chicken salad. It was good tasting, but nothing special. The side bread was good, and they gave us a lot of it. They also offered us a taco appetizer for $6 - a single taco with two shrimp!! We were trying not to laugh - I felt a little bad for out waitress, who seemed embarrassed to have to tell us how small it was. Cocktails start at $10 and even go up from there. I still recommend this place really highly for mornings. Its one of my favorites. But there are much better options close by for dinner.
(4)Ian M.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots in Ann Arbor. I usually alternate between a few things on the menu, but you really could point blindly and end up with something great. On top of the great food I have always had great service from friendly and knowledgable servers. The only complaint I have is the wait sometimes to get a table as so many other want to eat there. Well also they used to have these really cool photographs on the wall but they usually get new art work to sell for the artists. But other than those two very small things this place is great for lunch and I would assume dinner too.
(4)Michael E.
Zola's is a nice place for a tasty lunch or brunch. The cooking is creative, the ingredients are of high quality, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They're not cheap, though. Dinner is another matter. Like many contemporary restaurants, they're very much into unusual combinations, contrasting flavors, stacking food vertically, the sort of thing that strikes me as trying to be clever. That's easy to do. What's difficult is presenting good food simply cooked, and letting the ingredients speak for themselves. The last dinner dish I had was have a grilled chicken- which was not bad- sitting on top of a pile of mashed potatoes, squashed flat, and drenched in butter. Off to the side were four pieces of flavorless, overcooked asparagus, and a pile of similarly flavorless chopped leeks. The chicken completely covered the potatoes, which were squashed into a flat puddle, so I didn't really realize they were there until I started carving into the chicken and it slid across the plate. This dish cost $24, and while that's about par for the low end on Main street these days, it wasn't particularly well executed. The fashionable bare brick walls at Zola's also mean this is a very loud restaurant at dinner time. When I'm spending $100 for dinner for two, I like to be able to carry on a conservations without yelling. The noise level makes for a very stressful environment. I don't think I'll be back again for dinner.
(2)Yuliya H.
After Eve closed, this is now probably my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. I have been here for brunch and dinner several times and have had an excellent experience every time. Love their wine list, but most recently I tried the Midnight Manhattan Martini and loved it. I generally don't like super sweet drinks and this one was perfect: a mix of bitter and slightly sweet. Yum! My favorite dinner entree here is the Hawaiian Sea Bass (Pan roasted Mero in Miso) - it's fantastic!!! The best sea bass I've ever had anywhere! Every bite is an explosion of flavor in your mouth. Love the atmosphere and ambiance. 5 stars all around!!
(5)Julie C.
My review is more about one bad experience that I had, rather than the food here. I went with a small group of friends, since a few were moving out of town. Almost all of us ordered the Kobe burger, which was tasty. And the house fries were delicious. However, the waitress spilled a cup of red sauce on my new dress, that I was wearing to a meeting right after lunch. I ended up spending most of my time in the bathroom with a glass of club soda, trying to salvage the dress. I emerged to inhale the burger and fries, with little time to talk to my friends who were leaving. Then I had to run home to change for my meeting. Not worth the $20 tab. Okay, that's my vent.
(1)T V.
Had a what the heck moment here when I ordered $15 French toast only to discover that maple syrup was not included, though I could get some for $3.50 more. That seems like poor form to me. So I ate my French toast with butter only.... Other than that, it was a cute place. Service was on the slow side, but it was busy. Everyone else enjoyed their food. Whatever.
(2)E B.
The food is unique and delicious, and the ingredients are of very high quality. The mimosas and bloody marys are also wonderful. However, it is ridiculously overpriced, even for Ann Arbor, and the owner is quite rude to the patrons. It is an Ann Arbor staple probably worth trying (especially if you can go on a weekday morning when it is less busy and you are likely to have better service), but expect to be made to feel as though you should be honored to be dining there, not the other way around.
(3)Benjamin M.
Been here a couple times for breakfast and once for dinner. Large menus are often a warning sign and this place has one of the largest. The omelettes are decent. The smoked salmon hash is one dimensional and over-salted. Oddly, they wouldn't poach the eggs, despite offering eggs benedict on the same menu. The crepes are mostly good, but I wouldn't get the salmon one. There's nothing horribly offensive about the food, but everything is about $5-$10 more than it should be, including the hot tea, which costs an astounding $8 a pot (!) and is sadly nothing special. This place gets away with charging top dollar for mediocre fare because there's too little competition in downtown Ann Arbor. Zingerman's Roadhouse is probably a bit too far out of the way for most of the regulars, but if you have the means and the will, it's a far more satisfying (and shockingly less expensive) option.
(2)Carrie L.
There's more to a restaurant than just the food. Both of the stars I give this are just for the French Toast - which was good but not to die for. The rest of the experience would certainly not make me want to go back. The atmosphere was SO loud, and the seating was so close, I could barely talk to the person I was with. That may be good when you're out on the town for a Saturday night but certainly not what you want on a Friday morning before you've had your coffee. The thing I really hated was almost $7 (6.50) for an Orange Juice! I've paid less in Manhattan. That price, along with the total price of my bill ($54 for breakfast for 2 with tip!) is just plain rude to your guests.
(2)Nina N.
I'm actually just coming back from bunch at Zola. Yes, it's expensive. But I'll definitely be coming back in the near future. Service is slow, but I actually preferred it that way. The food is delicious and it was SPECTACULAR to sit outside, enjoy my meal and have a great conversation with a friend. If you go for brunch, definitely order a french press. And a mimosa after your meal if you're feel extra saucy ;)
(4)N P.
This would be the place I go to for a special evening in Ann Arbor. I love the creativity of the menu and I typically tend to always end up with dessert at all times of the day here because it is so consistently unhealthy and good lol (I run after so it's ok lol). I do love their desserts and particularly the crepes. It's just a great place overall. It's a great date place and you see couples in love and couples just getting started and you see families with college students here to celebrate holidays or just being able to visit. I love the interior and the ambience. We've had some average hostesses but the waitstaff nearly always has been so polite and friendly. You guys really make the place what it is. I read here that they are opening another location and I will check that out but please don't skip this one too. I haven't been back in a few months but if i need a date place I will go back soon.
(5)Yasmin E.
LOVE! This place is so homey and the food is SUPERB! seriously, ANY omelet that you order is an amazing choice (I've tried them all). Add home fries to your order to experience nirvana. EXCELLENT brunch spot or place to grab dessert with friends. Ambiance is warm and semi-exotic. I've eaten in brunchspots all over the East Coast. Aside from Sabrina's in Philly, nothing to date comes close to Zola!
(5)Ali B.
I would give Cafe Zola 3 stars for their food but their service is absolutely miserable. During our first visit to this restaurant, we were quoted a 30-40 minute wait for a table for brunch and we ended up waiting an hour and 15 minutes. Once seated, we were asked to get up and move (literally move) our table, my friend was accosted by several servers (full body spray with cleaner while an adjacent table was being cleaned, nearly hit in the face with multiple plates, generally rude servers, etc.). Finally, about 15 minutes after paying our bill, while we were finishing our beverages, we were actually asked to leave. That was the breaking point...it was overall, very disappointing. I will not be back to this restaurant.
(1)Zachary W.
Great brunch place. I've had the Waffles and the Turkish Eggs and enjoyed both a lot.
(5)Chelsea A.
What a bummmmmmer! The food here is GREAT. I just won't drive all the way to Ann Arbor from West Bloomfield to be treated like shit. The waitstaff are clearly young. I don't blame them for being terrible servers, I blame their boss for not mentoring them. I waited tables and did catering from 14 to 23, and never acted as goofy as the kids working here, due to it simply not being allowed by my manager, boss etc.. I assume not all the servers are awful, but after having to walk out more than once due to literally being ignored for more than 20 minutes ( I even politley asked the hostess to get my waitress 2 times on a day when there were 3 tables filled), I am DONE with Cafe Zola. What a shame, the food is really very good. If you don't mind taking a gamble on service, it is worth a try. If I lived close by I would come here again, but I rarely go to this city, so I guess it's my loss.
(1)S P.
I went here Friday morning with my boyfriend. I ordered the bagel and lox style dish, which I think they called the 'salmon platter' or something like that. It was really underwhelming for $16. A regular toasted bagel, some cream cheese, lox, capers, and veggies were arranged on a plate for me to put together myself. The problem is that the veggies were thick cut slices of cucumber, tomato, red onion, and a big leaf of lettuce. It was exactly the kind of thing provided at BBQ events where you serve yourself a hamburger at a picnic in a park. They also put two weird lemon slices on the place but I couldn't do anything but make a mess with them. Also the bagel wasn't great...just a bagel, and served a bit too long after it was toasted (regular toasted bagels have a small window of time in which they are really tasty). I'm assuming that there are other things here to try that might be better, but my boyfriend said his meal, a portobello sandwich, was nothing to write home about. With prices like that I was hoping for something more exciting (which I think is reasonable...I've found a few places that put lots of work into every dish, down the the steak sides or house salad).
(2)Snezana S.
Amazing place. I loved the european atmosphere inside. The food was excellent, I had the belgian waffle with wild berries and cream and my husband had an omelette which came with roasted patatos and homebaked bread. We both left smiling and very happy with everything we tried. I think they have a great selection of food, I recommend it with all my heart!
(5)Angelina V.
Excellent! Always really busy, and rightfully so. Great and unique cuisine.
(4)Bridget K.
An actress friend of mine was shooting part of her latest romantic comedy in Ann Arbor so I made the journey from Detroit to meet for lunch. We landed on Cafe Zola thanks to a suggestion from her hair stylist based in Ann Arbor. We walked right in because it was already 2 pm. We had passed the lunch rush. Our server was new but she did a great job! We both got the Turkish lemonade with was good but pretty sugary. The entre was pretty good and a nice sized portion. My friend got one of the soup specials because of the great bread. She was not disappointed.
(4)Dee C.
Just went here earlier today and this place had about an hour wait. I guess this could be because it was homecoming week. It was absolutely packed here and they were seating as soon as a table got up. This place is obviously packed for a reason! It wad almost getting to a point where it was getting hard to talk to each other because it was loud. Nutella banana crepes: chocolate-hazelnut spread, ice cream, banana slices, toasted almonds, creme chantilly and raspberry sauce. This was an amazing crepe! I loved every moment of it and the ice cream was the perfect touch to it! Fresh squeezed orange juice really means fresh squeezed. It felt absolutely refreshing to drink it. Rosemary potatoes. Some of the potatoes were burnt and it did not have all that much flavor. I think they need to be cut smaller or do hasbrowns. The service was a little slow, and some of the things could have gone better, but overall had some really great food. I would go back!
(4)Jennifer V.
I've been here for both brunch and dinner, and I've gotta say that I definitely prefer their brunch. Their dinner is good, but their brunch is superb. I wasn't overly impressed with their dinner selection. I've had a couple of different entrees (once I had pasta, the other time, I can't remember), and both times it seemed a bit bland. The brunch, on the other hand, is excellent. I generally get their Americana breakfast - simple and straightforward. The eggs are cooked to perfection, and I usually have bacon with it. What makes the breakfast, though, are the potatoes. Yum!! The only issue I have with Zola is that their portions are on the small side for their prices. I don't come here often, typically for this reason. If I want a larger brunch for the same price, I'll generally go to Zingerman's Roadhouse or a coney.
(4)Martha V.
A friend and I stopped in for lunch during the Ann Arbor art fair and really enjoyed ourselves. The food and service were both really good - and there is something to be said for that during the art fair when restaurants are packed with more than the usual number of diners for a meal. We both had salad and were very pleased (and full). We had a hard time choosing what to eat - the crepes look outstanding so I may have to try one on my next visit. I will be back with my husband for sure.
(4)Christopher T.
Definitely a must visit if in Ann Arbor. I had the open faced omelette with artichoke, peppers, potatoes, green beans, and onions. It was so amazing! My niece had the snowball waffle which was also yum, yum, yum. I don't think they make anything here that is bad. Plus, the service is very friendly.
(5)Amy L.
Excellent Ann Arbor Sunday brunch place! The food is amazing:) Of course, on Sunday it is very crowded and you should expect to wait. There is not a very large waiting area and most people stand outside. Not too bad when the weather is reasonable. The service is okay, typical for a very busy restaurant on Sunday morning. It seems to be a little expensive, but that doesn't keep people away. I will most likey be coming back!
(3)Gjon C.
I have walked past Café Zola for years. I'm pretty sure I had a cup a coffee there when it first opened, but somehow I got it stuck in my mind that the only reason to go there was for crepes and I just never got around to wanting crepes. I know this is unfair and probably even completely inaccurate. I decided to try some new places in 2011 so after finding 3 others closed or full, and once again walking past this place, I stepped into the velvet shower curtain area, and before I could object, I was pleasantly invited in. "Just one?" Yes, the bar was fine. The menu listed Turkish coffee, the best in town no less. Interesting. By a strange twist of unlikely events, I had missed my morning Albanian coffee, first time in years probably. Even though I did have a late morning cup, my neck, head and even brain hurt because of this botched routine. I asked the waitress behind the counter if it was in fact the best in town. She back peddled a bit; I could see her thinking "great, one of these types of customers". They had to bring out a special burner to make it. Now I was sure they hated me. It took a few tries to get the water level right and I was wondering if they were going to ask how much sugar, which eventually they did. It was a Tuesday during lunch, but it was surprisingly busy. The staff bustled back and forth. The place is your typical main street Ann Arbor establishment; great décor, interesting layout... but something seemed odd. After a while I realized everyone that worked there was a woman and of similar type. Made sense, Café Zola is steeped in female energy but not at all overly feminine. I asked the woman that brought me my coffee if it was a pre requisite to be female in order to work there. She said no, woman were just the only ones that survived. I was starting to like this place. I briefly glanced at the menu, but wasn't in the mood to think. I asked which item was their best. This always gets a quick "What do you like?" question. I have learned to quickly answer "I like everything" and then yes to any follow-up questions. She ended up ordering the farmers omelet for me. I know why do I inflict this unnecessary burden on people simply trying to make a living? I'm sure I'll do it again, but next time I have to remember to say they should bring me the most interesting dish on the menu. The food coffee were good, the place had a great vibe. I'm very glad I went in and unlike most places, I like to return and would bring friends here. The only question is should I try and find out which week in the month I should try to avoid. Atmosphere **** Food *** Service *** Overall ***
(3)Kelsey P.
To me, Cafe Zola is a whole 'nother step up in food quality than any of the breakfast choices in Ann Arbor. Every component of each meal I've seen is of amazing quality - whether it's the honey-mustard sauce, coffee, or salmon. Unfortunately, this higher quality comes at a price. One might argue that the prices are fair for its finer quality, but these prices relegate me to keeping Cafe Zola's for special occasions.
(4)Emily F.
I had a bad experience at Cafe Zola. I will admit though, i am not rating the food, i am rating the service. I was in town to visit my sister who attends the University of Michigan and we wanted to go out for a nice brunch. I called Cafe Zola while we were driving over, and they told me the wait would be about 15 minutes. We parked the car, and when we arrived at the restaurant, it couldn't have been more than six or seven minutes until we actually walked in, the hostess told me there would be over an hour wait. I explained that I had just called and driven over because she said the wait would be fifteen minutes, and she said I needed to wait like everybody else. We waited almost an hour, and when that time had passed the hostess told us that the wait would still be an hour, and she was not very nice about it. I'm all for waiting for a delicious brunch, but she was so rude. There is no need to be rude to customers, and this really hit a nerve with me because we were being incredibly nice and understanding. We ended up leaving and having a delightful brunch somewhere else. I will not go back to Cafe Zola because I do not not like being treated like a nuisance when I am a willing, paying customer.
(1)Jasmine L.
Awesome brunch place just off Main Street. My aunt raved about this French-y bistro brunch cafe, so before herding my sister off to catch her train at noon, we all went here Sunday morning. (Holy crap at the line outside, by the way. Prepare to spend about 30 minutes milling around.) First off - best coffee, hands down, that I've had in a long long time. I got the cafe latte and it was creamy, caffeinated goodness. Yum. My sister got the soy cafe au lait and oh man - it came out with an empty cup the size of a pool, and two little bottles, one brimming with foamed soy milk, and the other steaming with freshly brewed coffee. To say that it was exceptional is an understatement. Ah, but we need to talk about the food. I got the omelette duxelles, my sister got the frittata zola, my aunt got the turkish delight, and my cousin got the banana and strawberry crepes. OH THE BOUNTIFUL DELICIOUSNESS! My omelette was chockful of sauteed mushrooms and the porcini sauce is divine. (Only thing - I couldn't see or taste any onions/shallots, which was a shame, but it didn't take away from the taste.) The egg was thick and fluffy - so fluffly that it makes me want to ask for a two egg omelette next time. And I asked for vermont cheddar inside the omelette, which I have decided is my new favorite cheese. The frittata zola is basically an egg-sweet potato-crouton-onion pizza, with a thin, thin "open-faced" egg bottom. Divine. Glorious chunks of goat cheese were strewn on the top. The Turkish delight is a spinach and feta cheese (chunk) fiesta with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes on the side WITH two fried/sunnyside eggs nestled right on top of the feta cheese. And man, that crepe was just bursting with fruity goodness. The only downside was that it came with three ginormous blooms of creme fraiche on top, which, given that my cousin is only 8 years old, would send her right into cardiac arrest. The exposed brick walls and teeny photogapher lights only help to heighten the feeling that you are in a Parisian bistro, oddly transplanted in the middle of campus town. The waitresses are awesome - especially considering that the shop is crammed full of chattering people - and they can memorize all of the orders perfectly, no pad or pencil needed. Needless to say, this has become a spot that I need to frequent every time I visit Ann Arbor. (Oh and another clincher? Along with my omelette came a side of hot Zingermen's bread. YUMM!)
(5)Sarah A.
I hate standing in line. I mean, I HATE standing in line...but waiting for brunch at Cafe Zola is so worth the agony of listening to the rest of the people waiting stand around and be self important. I took a Zola virgin there yesterday for my personal favorite menu item: smoked salmon omelette. That omelette never ceases to amaze me, in fact I had previously been reluctant to try new things on the menu because of the sheer joy I experience while eating this thing! We added spinach and avocado to the omelette because at Zola, you can add pretty much whatever you want to your eggs. It should go without saying that spinach and avocado are fine companions for smoked salmon omelettes! We also ordered a french press of the Ethiopian roast coffee. Yummy, rich, dark caffeinated goodness. I love that I can go to a restaurant and get a full french press just like I would make myself at home. Drip coffee is so not the same...especially in a high-end brunch joint! So go to Zola, but be prepared to wait forever and a day if you have a party of more than two.
(5)Kim G.
Brunch you say? I'm in. I realized a lot of places in Ann Arbor have exposed brick and nice artwork. When we arrived, they took our name and had us wait at the bar as we ordered some coffee. The best thing was when our name was called, they brought over all 4 coffees to our table for us! I love coffee with my savory entree of choice and this time it was the Turkish Eggs. The spinach fused into the egg white, with a block of feta cheese nestled in between the two yolks, and a burst of color from the ripe tomato slices and kalamata olives. I was intrigued, and it was filling. The portions are pretty large here, and you'll probably have to take your side of potatoes home (and I love that it's a side of potatoes and not toast)! A cafe to enjoy, and the menu is extensive. I even got a peek into the men's room where the mirror has a round lightbulb to frame your face. Am I the first to mention this important detail?
(4)Amanda L.
My all time favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. What's not to love? Excellent brunch - crepes, omelettes, french toast, turkish delights, and super delicious coffee. The dinner is just as good, if not better. Only issue is that because it is so amazing, there is always a long wait for brunch - be prepared to wait 45+ mins, depending on when you get there. It's also very crowded and loud during brunch time. Dinner is much more intimate.
(5)Mark S.
Having been a regular at Zola's for breakfast once a week with friends for the better part of a year, we finally looked at each other and wondered what the hell we were doing! The service had steadily gone downhill to the point where at times we wondered if our server was even still in the building. And $6.50 for a large orange juice,... really,..?? The endless cup of coffee is nice, but at the end of the day, you're paying a lot of money for a mediocre breakfast. We've since started on the weekly breakfast tour hitting the other joints around town, and sufficed to say, we're having a blast! To be fair, we have not eaten at Zola's for lunch or dinner.
(2)Rebecca L.
Brunch 9-16-12 Visiting MI Great atmosphere, good menu options, good service! Despite being pretty packed at 1pm for brunchers on Sunday, we were seated in about 10 minutes and the service that followed was great! We ordered: Smoked Salmon-my friend really liked it but to be honest it didn't look like anything special. Just your standard salmon, bagel, capers, and creme fraiche. Crepe Zola-(opinion of friend that ordered it)mediocre. Not good or bad but lacking some serious flavor. I didn't try it myself but it did look like there wasn't enough basil. I wonder about the tomatoes they use. They looked like steak tomatoes--which are usually watery and not used when making a Caprese salad which is what the Zola is inside of a crepe. Also the moz looked a little yellow and so maybe wasn't the fresh also used with salad. Crepe Champignon-My dish and it was great! I love mushrooms and this was super yummy. Not too heavy a dish--as in it isn't cheesy or really very creamy. I would come back for this one for sure. Also had the potatoes (good!) and the fruit (very fresh and great selection---no overripe melon ruining the bowl as so often happens. Is cantaloupe just that cheap?) Drinks: Mimosas-pricey but I do believe they were made with fresh squeezed juice so I understand the price Kir-white wine poured over blackberry (?) liqueur. This is a good option if you don't want something too sweet as the liqueur is more tart. One star deducted for a combo of mediocre crepe zola and the price of the meal. The entrees were too expensive. Its just a fact. My mushroom crepe was something like $13 and the fruit was $5. Drinks were $9.50. Nothing on the menu was priced reasonably. (and I am from Chicago!)
(4)Christine F.
We have a few friends in Ann Arbor, and the last few times we've been through this stretch we've gotten dinner at Zola. It's always been very busy when we've gone. Service has always been good. Food has always been tasty. I've had the wild mushroom pasta. It's pasta (I presume fresh) made with a mushroom cream sauce, asparagus and a basil-walnut pesto with herbed goat cheese. Just dreamy. So dreamy. It's as good as it sounds. Way back, in the days of yore, I had a lemon/caper fish, which was also very good. The pasta was more memorable, though. I am a carb fiend... This place is a delicious place for dinnah. Very parent friendly, as well.
(4)Jamie V.
Absolutely delicious food and drinks. It can be a bit pricy but the food and beverages are totally worth it! The crepes are great and the cocktails are yummy! The coffee is fantastic too. It will not disappoint!
(5)Joshua G.
The waffles and coffee are excellent! They also have fresh oj and a great selection of teas. Wonderful Omlettes. If you are looking for lunch the salmon burger is amazing and doesn't fall into the category of being a fishy tasty sandwich. The salmon is ground like hamburger meat and the malt fries compliment it well
(5)Bethany H.
They raised their prices and lowered their value!
(2)Anne I.
I've been here for brunch and for dinner. A little pricey, but definitely good place for brunch. Dinner is, eh, so-so. I ordered a lox omelette for brunch, and since I was with friends, we ordered fresh fruits for the table. They were delicious, and my omelette was great. On another occasion, I stopped by for dinner and ordered a salmon dish. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best I'd had either. It was really rich and kind of bland. The service was friendly and attentive when I was there, both times. The atmosphere of Cafe Zola is pretty nice; a little fancier and chic than the usual restaurant, so perfect for evening dates and morning get-togethers. Although I'm not sure about the price, I'm guessing it wouldn't be bad for nice drinks for girls-night-out either. If I'm not going for brunch, then I'd go for the ambiance.
(3)Beth H.
The food is consistantly good, but the service and time between ordering and receiving is poor. when going for a weekday lunch hour, they should hire more staff so people can get service and eat within an hour. Have been there 3 times this year alone, and have waited a solid hour between ordering our salads and getting them on the table. On one such visit we asked for bread during the wait because we were starving. The waitress said our food doesn't come with bread, and she held her ground when we contested, so what comes with our salads... bread. So if you don't mind incompetence, and a long wait, the food is good. But then again, you can get a salad most places downtown. Oh and don't expect to get any beverage refills.
(2)Sarah W.
This place has so many reviews because it has pretty good food and good atmosphere. It's a clean cut place with the ambiance of a high class cafe. Nice wrap around bar where you can grab a drink or have a coffee. I have been here for brunch and dinner. i have to say the brunch beats dinner hands down. Some of the best things here are the vanilla latte, Turkish brunch , and any of the crepes (savory or sweet). The Turkish brunch gives you your choice of coffee or tea, a plate of cheese, eggs, tomatoes and a basket of all kinds of breads and pastries. It's enough for two people. Make sure you come here early on weekends, there is going to be a wait for sure! Even though the food is best at brunch, it is still a great place to come at night if your out on a date or need a small intimate dinner. There is also outdoor seating in the summer. And don't forget you can get their coffee to go, grab a chocolate croissant too.
(4)Jeremy M.
I visited this place with a couple friends who live in Michigan and raved about this place and whereas my main dish was just ok, everything else, food, beverage & atmosphere, was amazing and I look forward to trying something else next time I venture that way. I ordered the Frittata Zola which is an Italian open faced omelet that had sweet potato cubes, goat cheese and a type of fresh croutons on top. The lineup sounded outstanding and was very fresh but I felt like the eggs or other ingredients should've been seasoned with something. It had a very bland taste for all of those ingredients and my assumption is it didn't have a pinch of salt or pepper. Now on to the rest which isn't much. The dish I ordered came with some homestyle fries that were amazing. I literally could've just sat there and eaten those alone all day and it's been a while since I felt that way about a potato. The dish also came with some baguette type toast where it and the butter was great. And lastly, the freshly squeezed OJ was the best I'd ever had and I can only imagine they squeezed it for me moments before bringing it to the table, not earlier that morning. It was that good.
(4)ting b.
Major fan of this place. Never been here for brunch, which I heard is THE time to go, but I've had dinner here twice. First time I had a salmon burger, which was good but not amazing. The second time was amazing. I shared a mussels fado appetizer, the blackened salmon with portabello ravioli, and the herb rubbed bricked roasted chicken with lemon garlic sauce. YUUMMM!!! Literally, we didn't say anything for like 20 something minutes as we stuffed our faces. Also, the service is really great and the atmosphere very casual yet classy. Whoever was in charge of the decor has a strong streak of good taste. Another plus is that the prices are rather reasonable. I'm definitely coming back here again or taking visitors from out of town here.
(5)nate c.
I've never once had a merely adequate meal at Zola. Good meals tend toward the outstanding, bad ones make you swear up and down that this is the last time you'll be stupid enough to trust your hangover to this kitchen. In brief... Yes, yes, YES!: top-notch wait staff (lately, anyway), the salt and grease explosion that is the Turkish brunch, some very crabby crab cakes, and extra horseradishy Blood Marys. Probably the most pleasant interior of any restaurant in Ann Arbor. For shame: $6 (I swear to god) "market price" orange juice, scattered kitchen incompetence (solid yolks on poached eggs; risible, insubstantial waffles). Also, as even my cat knows, it is essential that there be _two_ towers of egg on any benedict.
(3)Patrick M.
I'm giving Cafe Zola four stars because my experience there was OK. I enjoyed that the place was very busy, but I was able to get in without a wait. The service was great, my server was very helpful and nice even with the place being so busy. The food was ok but had a lot of potential. I had the Turkish Eggs which I think the eggs were way over cooked. So much so the feta cheese got to be very dry. My wife had a omelet it was basically goat cheese, a big slab of eggs and onions. Good ingredients but not very good in my opinion. I do plan to go back because the food could be better I plan to look at suggestions on yelp before I go next time.
(4)Christopher L.
Oatmeal is fine Turkish eggs were ok at best Their free bread is incredible
(2)Hugo S.
On my first visit to Ann Arbor, I showed up early on a Saturday morning after a bizarre red eye flight from LAX to Detroit Metro; unslept and unshowered, we were nonetheless welcomed to a glorious breakfast by the servers at Cafe Zola. A filling breakfast with wonderful coffee -- strong enough to get us through the rest of the day on NO sleep.
(5)Edward V.
This review is for the weekday breakfast service. My favorite is either the Turkish Brunch (with a big basket of pastries) or the Turkish Eggs (baked with spinach and feta). Delicious, both of them. This is the place downtown that you are most likely to see people having a power breakfast, and one of the few places you'll see people before 8am wearing suits and ties.
(4)Jan S.
This place is really great, the atmosphere, the food, the service. Definitely recommend! The only con was how close together all the tables are, but I guess it is a trade off.
(4)the actual s.
love it love it love it! i have been here twice. both times everything was excellent. the staff is friendly and fast. the first time i went i got a bagel and eggs with asparagus. yum. the bagel was wonderful. they have a great selection of tea and the coffee is good. the second time i must say i went a little over board on the mimosas. i rang up a pretty big check because of it but it was sooo worth it. i got a crape with egg, Havarti ham and i added bacon. it was great. i have not had the pleasure of getting any dinner items yet cause everytime i have been there it was for breakfast. its a little expensive for a breakfast but its worth it. just go!!! please try it. i love it and im sure you will too.
(5)Cathy H.
Zola is located on one of the off shoot streets from Main, and it is a very popular brunch place. I am amazed this is an Ann Arbor restaurant. When I enter Zola, I think I am in California because the eggs are as fresh as those delivered straight from Petaluma. Zola serves up the best omelets with the freshest ingredients and herbs. The best part of breakfast is topping it off with wickedly strong Turkish coffee.
(5)Amanda Z.
My friends and I were looking for a post Dexter-Ann Arbor Run brunch spot, and Café Zola won out. We got there about 10:30 on Sunday morning and must've gotten one of the last open tables available because by the time we got settled and ordered, the place was packed!! I ordered the artichoke omelet and it was just what my tired and starving body needed after the race- an open faced omelet with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, green beans, potatoes, onions and cheddar cheese. It was absolutely delicious! All of the elements blended so well together, with the rosemary potatoes adding such a great flavor throughout. It was a huge plate, so I was only able to take about 1/2 of it down before I was full. When we first sat down I thought the prices were a little high for brunch, but after getting my plate and realizing how much food was on it, I think the price point is just about right! Brunch for the three of us, with coffee and juice was $50- far too much for breakfast, but just about right for brunch. I'll definitely be back!
(4)becky k.
cafe zola sure has grown up. i guess i have too since my first visit as a humble 2nd year having coffee with a professor. same brick walls and nice sunshine, but the vibe and offerings are much more sophisticated. back in those days cafe zola was more of a coffee shop cafe with food. these days zola is a restaurant with coffee. i have been for brunch here twice and both times really liked it. the first time i had a bloody mary, coffee, and an omelette with goat cheese and asparagus. it was a lovely meal and my two girlfriends and i leisurely chatted our way through drinks, food, and coffee all of which were very good. my most recent stop i had a late lunch. the grilled vegetable salad was YUM and the balsamic dressing was great. there could have been more veggies though--i think that i saw 2 tiny little beets cubes. i love roasted beets. the service for brunch with the girls was great--constant coffee refills (which is all that really matters at brunch). the service for my solo lunch not so good. no water refills and i asked twice for lemon for the agua and it never came =( overall though the next time i'm in ann arbor i know i'll be back.
(4)Michael L.
Russian Caravan tea. omlettes. crepes. drinks, man, it was years ago, but so good in my mind. man, one place i really miss.
(5)Adam H.
Best brunch in ann arbor! Great tea selection, and amazing fries.
(5)B.J. S.
I had an amazing breakfast here while visiting from out-of-town. The service was excellent and the food was fantastic. I'm here in Ann Arbor for a few days and I'll definitely go back at least one more time.
(5)Marie H.
Cafe Zola is overpriced, but worth it for brunch as well as cocktails. The first time I ever went I got the mushroom crepe which was huge but had very odd tasting sauce that was an unappealing shade of grey. It kept me away for a long time until I tried the Turkish eggs; 2 baked eggs with spinach, a huge slab of feta cheese and some cucumbers, tomatoes, and assorted olives. The waffles, pancakes, and omlettes all look good, but I always get the Turkish eggs now because they are awesome and worth the price. The dinner menu looks overpriced and uninspired to me, but the cocktails there are fantastic, namely because not only do they have Hendrick's gin, but they aren't afraid to use a little Campari from time to time. I hate bitters, but I respect a place that will serve the classics, none of that goofy blue curaco here my friends! Be warned however that the coffee is spiked with either meth or crack, more than one cup will surely cause heart palpitations and some apraxias. It took hours for me to come down after having two cups of coffee, which would normally not make a dent.
(4)Sarah C.
this is my absolute favorite place to get brunch. the wait is often long on the weekends, esp sunday, but i feel it's well worth it. the omelets, crepes, and waffles are so yummy. they have a good seletion of tea too! i loved this place so much for brunch i was wary to go there later in the day. i went once for lunch and was not impressed. since then, i have gone back for salads/appetizers and drinks. their drinks are so good! be sure to try the pimm's cup and they make a mean mojito!
(5)Joanna C.
This place has great ambiance and fabulous mojitos. The dinner menu is not cheap, but the lamb chops are worth it. I did happen to notice that all the wait staff are ridiculously gorgeous women, not that I swing that way, but if you are looking for some eye candy to accompany the good food, I thought I'd throw that in there. Brunch is what they are known for, but honestly, I don't think it's anything special. And contrary to what others think, I don't love the crepes there. By the time it gets to your table, it's already cold and somewhat bland. But all in all, if you are looking for a great dinner place and want to try somewhere new, check out Zola.
(4)Nupur L.
Very nice coffee drinks, crepes and omelettes. I also love the french fries with their in-house ketchup and aioli. You can take or leave the waffles. The atmosphere is both hip and pleasant. My only negative experience here was when I ordered Turkish coffee with the Turkish delight and they told me after I had ordered that they ran out of Turkish delight-and still charged me the same amount. Lame.
(4)Jon L.
Great date place, nice atmosphere and good enough food/prices to impress.
(4)Coco C.
Zola is good, but if you are going to drop a lot of cash for fancy-ish-er food, you're better off going to Eve.
(3)Chris S.
When I'm here for brunch I feel like I'm back in San Francisco. Very good food at reasonable prices. Insanely crowded at prime brunch time . Beat the long line by dining at the bar. I dig the little carafes they give you for your coffee refills. I've only had brunch here but I bet dinner isn't bad. Looks nice in the evening--dimly lit, cozy.
(4)Susan L.
Solid brunch place. Friendly service. Try the chai, you get to mix the honey and cream in yourself. Crepes are hard to come by in Ann Arbor and they make a pretty good one.
(4)Cecilia P.
My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. The food is expensive, but delicious. The cocktails are the best in town, made the old-fashioned way with real sour (not some mix containg high fructose corn syrup). There's a lot of labor involved in the $8 drinks--you can see why they cost more. The food is fresh and tasty--I've been here for brunch, for romantic dates, for dinner with my friends, for drinks, for every occasion. It never fails to impress.
(5)Teeks L.
I grew up in New York City, so brunch is in my genes. My husband and I were visiting Ann Arbor for the weekend and decided on a whim to get brunch at Cafe Zola. We got there around 10:30am, and I expected a long wait - that's peak time at a good brunch place. But we were seated right away, and got our coffee very quickly. Our waitress was polite, quick and kept out of our way except when we needed refills. (The waitresses here are uniformly painfully beautiful, so much so that my husband was teasing me for staring). The food was AMAZING - even the english muffin that my eggs benedict came on was a fluffy, sourdough cloud. His waffle came with berries so fresh I swear they grow them in the back; the whipped cream was *not* out of a can, and the waffle itself was sweet but not cloying, light and rich at the same time. My husband's bellini was, well, just good. The only so-so thing about the experience. There were plenty of families with small kids but it wasn't too loud, we could have a normal-volume conversation. It was reasonably priced, for brunch - would be much more reasonable without the alcohol. All in all I was really impressed, and tempted to say it's the best brunch I've ever had. It was hands down the best brunch I've ever had outside NYC, no question.
(5)Alan M.
Ate there for dinner on Sunday night. Service: If I want to rush through something, I'll go to a NASCAR race or something like that. The waitress took my girlfriend's salad practically mid-bite, asked us if we wanted dessert menus halfway through our entrees, then asked if we wanted the bill just a couple of minutes later. Of course, once we were done, it took forever to get the bill (perhaps the waitress realized she was rushing us too much). If I'm paying $28 for an entree, I expect to be treated like a valued customer, not a number. Food: The bread and salads were great. The entrees...so-so. I got the scallops, which were prepared reasonably well. But there wasn't much to the dish, just scallops and red wine reduction. Compare to Pacific Rim, where one can order the scallops for the same price and get the most amazing flavor explosion. My girlfriend had the mushroom pesto ravioli. The pesto was fantastic (when isn't pesto), but the rest of the dish was merely adequate. Overall, underwhelming for Ann Arbor. I will say that I had brunch there on one previous occasion and had no complaints. Nothing spectacular, but good brunch food.
(2)John M.
3.5 stars. excellente waffles, kindly service, annoying art, sometimes lame bands. very "ann arbor".
(3)Mark S.
Came here after a disappointing experience at Bigalora. Much better! This place is awesome!!
(5)Margot F.
Zola's barista/bartender finishes lattes with a swirling leaf that draws the crema into the foam cap, the chef can be seen handling the delicate crepes through a glass window into the kitchen, and the servers dress casually during the day and button up at night, but their perfectly elegant and minimalist service is as consistent as their long black aprons. The omlettes, salads, soup, and sandwiches available during the day are served either on or with Zingerman's bakehouse bread; sweet and savory crepes and waffles are also available until the tablecloths, candles, and cloth napkins appear and Zola transforms into a casual dinner restaurant with a wine list mostly just out of range for my grad student budget and entrees in the $20 range. Menu names suggest Turkish inspiration, but the havarti and stilton are unequivocally Danish and the goat cheese they like to serve baked until smooth and creamy has absolutely got to be French. Other entrees like the seafood burger and wild mushroom pasta evoke cuisines from Asia to Argentina, although the plurality of the stops on the fusion flight are in Europe. House-made dressings like the lemony, minty dressing on the house salad and the pineapple chutney served with the gulf shrimp are fantastic. Vibrant modern art, unframed and clipped to exposed pipes, brightens the exposed brick and wood decor, accented with bar-stools stained a deep red and the white and black tables and tile. Everything about Zola feels effortlessly, un-self-consciously hip and at ease in both its day and night incarnations. It's a perfect place for brunch, particularly when it's warm enough for the patio tables to come back outside, an afternoon crepe with coffee or half a pot of tea (served in a french press), or a nice dinner that won't pretend to be "fine dining," the downfall of so many other Ann Arbor restaurants in Zola's peer group.
(4)Megan C.
This review is only for the brunch at Cafe Zola, not for other meals. I've had brunch here twice now, and both times it was a disappointment. The positive things: the coffee is good, the waitress was very friendly, the potatoes that come with an omelet are delicious. The bad: The omelets here are huge and mostly flavorless. They are thick and bland. The toast we got with our meal was like a rock; it had obviously been toasted long before and just tossed on a plate for us. It's way too expensive for what you get. There are so many breakfast places in Ann Arbor that are far superior: Angelo's, Aut Bar, and Northside Grill are my favorites. Breakfast/brunch at those places is always an awesome experience. Cafe Zola just seems over-hyped and over-priced, at least for brunch. I am not a crepe person, so maybe that's where I've gone wrong; but it seems like if you offer like 15 omelets on your menu you should at least know how to make a decent one. Especially if you're charging $12 for it.
(3)Roger G.
Service was prompt and the food was great. I ordered the "small plate" mussels, which came out with about 1.25 lbs of mussels, and the shrimp taco, which was absolutely fabulous. I will most assuredly go back
(5)Kari g.
Salmon hash! Mmmmmm!! Also tried the crab cake breakfast and shakshuka. This place was awesome! Busy... But the wait was not long!
(4)Rafa R.
I love this place. I've been for dinner but I hear it's even better for breakfast and brunch. Service is good, wine selection is nice and food is excellent. The Caprese Salad (mozarella, tomatoes, basil, olive oil) is delicious and is large enough that I've had it split into two servings. I usually opt for their off-menu special entrees and have never been disappointed, especially with the seafood. The last time I was there I had a whole bronzini en papillote (whole fish baked in parchment). It was cooked to perfection, juicy and full of flavor. I'm also a huge fan of the tuna and scallop entrees.
(5)C C.
Zola is an all-around great restaurant for breakfast and lunch. They have a variety of items on their menu. I think the Zola specials are the best. The decor is cute. We had the Turkish Eggs and french toast on challah bread, and both were really good. The espresso drinks were delicious. It's a solid place for breakfast.
(4)Jessica S.
Amazing brunch and service. The coffee is strong and delicious. Their specials are seasonal and were quite unique. I'd recommend this little gem to anyone!
(5)Ken Z.
Had lunch here this past Saturday. First the bad. Wait was longer than we were told. When we checked in again with server, miraculously a table was ready. Once we ordered, waitress left our table, checked in with some other tables, and then came back to make sure she remembered our order correctly before putting it in with the kitchen. Why the delay/second visit? Just write it down the first time and go put it in right away. The good: Salmon Hash with Dill sauce and eggs (I chose scrambled) $14.95 was excellent and came with a bread basket (Zingerman's?). Turkish brunch item ($12.95) was raved about by companion - she always gets it there. Side of fruit was $5.75. Order of pancakes $9. Food great, service okay. Maybe better when it is less busy?
(4)Nancy C.
I have heard a lot of great things about Cafe Zola, and it seems to be THE place to bring your family out to for brunch when they come visit. I'm not sure I agree, unfortunately. The omelettes are good and the portion size is decent, but pricy for what they are. My friend ordered the chilled lobster avocado salad here, which looked great but was pitifully small. Sigh.
(3)Rachael F.
Best. Restaurant. In. Ann Arbor. I do not make these choices lightly, and the icing on the cake is that it's equally as amazing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It took me until the night before graduation (obv a "my parents are in town so they'll get the bill" kinda spot) to make it there for dinner, but it left my pallet wanting more. So that's just what I did when I came back to visit as an alumni last week - got more. Much, much more. Brunch here really cannot be beat. After scrutinizing the menu beforehand, I already knew exactly what I wanted, but it was still a huge internal struggle to resist the temptation of ordering every item they offered. I went with the omelette provencale, mostly because of the caramelized onions (and added spinach...I love my omelets with spinach), and suffice it to say it was heaven on a fork. Despite being completely full halfway through, I couldn't help but lick my plate clean. Thankfully I had the whole day to walk it off and would've been ready to go for round 2!
(5)Scott G.
Went during restaurant week, our 3rd visit in a year. Started with the shrimp taco as part of the fixed three course menu. Was very tasty, though hard to eat (small taco stuffed with shrimp...had to eat 1/2 of it with a fork before I could pick it up). My girlfriend started with the chowder, which came out luke warm. If it were hotter, it would have been more enjoyable. We both had the Fresh Kale salad, which was bland and a bit disappointing. Could have used a dressing with more taste. For the main course, I had the lamb which was very good. She had the short ribs, which, like the chowder, was luke warm and would have been better if it was a served a bit hotter. Guessing this was a result of them making a lot of these courses as part of the fixed menu. Overall, I'd give this meal a 3, but based on our other two visits, don't want to knock the restaurant too much. It's a nice place, has a cozy feel to it, and I like the martini and overall drink menu. Service is always good, though it does get crowded and there was a wait last night by 7:30 (we dined at 6PM and made a reservation, which I'd recommend). On a prior visit, we had breakfast and it was very good.
(4)Nancy K.
K and I have been coming here for a few years for brunch, usually with our dear friends from E. Lansing. It's pricey, especially considering breakfast is usually the cheapest meal to eat out. Here's the thing, though: you get what you pay for and at Zola you are getting the best breakfast in town. I always stick with the Americana but have often tried my companions dishes. If they have it, get a side of asparagus - they cook it perfectly. The bread with rosemary butter is also sublime but don't fill up before your meal comes (better yet, request the bread come with your meal). Before today's visit I haven't written a review because the service was always so horrific I couldn't figure out how to score it. We are talking downright nastiness from the woman usually serving as hostess who we think is the owner down to the kids bussing tables. It made the experience less than stellar. Apparently they got the message, because today, from the second we walked in the door, we were greeted with warmth and friendliness. The girl working as hostess, despite her ridiculously short and tight skirt, was incredibly nice and our waiter, Nick, could not have been more awesome. If you've avoided Zola because of the attitude problem, it's time to try it out - just get there early before the crowds!
(4)Betsy L.
Good food (but not-to-die) for with inflated Ann Arbor rates. Having dined here various times over the past decade, I give the place a 3 because of how they run their business. All their servers are treated poorly. I gather this from observing and from all the many stories I hear from the servers themselves. I figure the restaurant owners get away with it because of their popularity in town.
(3)Emily F.
I order the Fritatta Zola every time! It is that good in my opinion and there is always some to take home, great reheated later that day. Bloody Mary is excellent! This is a favorite brunch spot for my girlfriends and I.
(5)Lindsay C.
Let's Share! sweet and savory please... Waffles and lattes are delish! I love waffles and pancakes but I usually end up really hungry so I have to get something savory too. Waffles have a nice crunch and it's made with greek yogurt. I can't put my finger on what it reminds me of but it's something asian and good. Best latte I've had since I've been in Ann Arbor. All those chain store places Starbucks, Einsteins, etc just can't live up to this. I've been here twice and never really had to wait for a table. I tried the turkish eggs as highly recommended came highly recommended by yelpers and I was... NOT impressed... tastes like it sounds, feta, spinach, eggs... probably great for someone who is vegetarian or wants a healthy breakfast but I'm dining out... I want flavors! I should have got something fancy like eggs benedict My friend ordered the omelette which for $10 you get folded egg?... everything else you have to add apparently so he added some sausage and cheese.... $15 later... it was just decent. I'd come back for their waffles, maybe try their crepes, and a a latte. Hold the french toast (I just don't like FT in general).
(4)Ömer K.
This is a must go restaurant in Ann Arbor !! If you go there during the rush hour, you'd still enjoy it but service will not be as fast. Staff is really friendly and nice. I went there multiple times for dinner and had their lamb chops, OMG... They were really nicely cooked and served. Also try their shrimp tacos, they are great even though a little hard to eat. If you'd like be there during the rush hour, make sure you have a reservation though... sometimes it is really hard to find seats when you walk in without a reservation.
(5)Amaryllia L.
Had Saturday morning brunch here and somehow lucked out and didn't have to wait at all! Everything on the menu sounded super delicious and I was sooo excited when we finally got our food. I got the Salmon Hash with horseradish cream sauce ($15) and my brunch buddy ordered the Turkish eggs ($13.50). We also got a half pot of green tea for $6.50. Although I really wanted to like this place, I thought the food turned out pretty mediocre, especially considering the price tags. The Turkish eggs made me feel like I was eating spinach that comes frozen in a block and the salmon in the Salmon Hash seemed more like canned meat than freshly cooked. If I have another occasion to come back, perhaps I should try waffles and crepes.
(3)Cindy C.
I was so excited to have brunch here with my friends when I was home for a weekend, and I have always loved dining here. This time, though, even WITH a reservation, we had to wait over 45 minutes to get a table, and we shrank in size since some people had other appointments they had to get to and couldn't stay and wait. We did have a group of 8, which then went down to a 6 from having to wait so long, and it was on a Sunday, so that was understandable that they were finding it hard to get us all a table. They are infamous for their waitstaff turnover rate, so maybe this explains what happened after we were seated. Our server was very obviously frazzled and in a rush to get our drink order, she seemed very impatient the whole time, and after we got our food she never came back to check on us, just to drop our checks without asking if we needed anything else. So after waiting for so long to get a table, then we felt super rushed by her to get out. Maybe I wanted a bloody mary after my brunch but I didn't get to decide, oh well. Some of us ended up going to The Wafel Shop and splitting an amazing wafel topped with berries and whipped cream for dessert after, which was a very nice, quiet, and calm experience with nice service in comparison. Service aside, Zola's food is still great, I had the salmon bagel plate. It is pricey, even for Ann Arbor, but worth it for a nice treat. I just wouldn't go there again unless they were a bit slower and there was no wait, as the experience was less than stellar. Must get: Any of the crepes, that great open face omelet, Hediye's breakfast, salmon plate, Salade Zola with the toasted goat cheese, their fresh squeezed OJ Must go: When they're not packed and no line...
(3)Patrick T.
Expensive, but if you can ignore the prices, the food is pretty good. The omelettes are well made with high-quality ingredients. I'm always a sucker for a smoked salmon omelette, and they do it right. The waffles items are sweet and delicious. The snowball waffle is topped with ice cream and you can't really go wrong there. I'm not a huge fan of the savory crepes, but to each their own. As far as lunch, there's no better way to spend a sunny late afternoon than sitting outside Zola enjoying a $20 hamburger and a mojito. Fortunately for your wallet, it's not sunny and warm all that often in Ann Arbor.
(3)Divi P.
Food - 5 stars Service - 4 stars Person in charge of seating - 0 stars Cafe Zola has always been one of my favorite places for brunch in Ann Arbor and the server and the food have never ceased to be anything short of awesome BUT for the first time we felt a little jerked around by the lady in charge of seating. I am sure it is a stressful tough job, but all your clientele ask is a little honesty. We called in advance and were told 20 minutes but she cldnt put our name on the list till we got there. When we got there we put our name on the list and were told 15-20 minutes which was fine. However it was 45 minutes (and counting) before we finally were told if we would sit outside (with the bees) we would be seated immediately - come to learn there were at least two other groups of 4 who had been there over an hour but cldnt sit outside because of the bees so they were still waiting - once we were seated the food and service were upto par, a little pricey bt you know that going into cafe Zola but I felt obliged to write a review when I learnt how many people had come thinking they were waiting for 20 minutes, only to be waiting well over an hour - we had a flight to catch - had we knows it would be an hour we would have gone elsewhere
(3)Justin L.
meh...this place was ok... I went for Sunday brunch and we got seated quickly at the bar thankfully. I got the Turkish eggs and it was not really what I was expecting. Other plates we ate were only okay as well. I do like the fact that they ask you if you want split checks beforehand. They must get a lot of those requests with college kids around all the time.
(3)Farhaad R.
I always come here with great hopes... And I'm continually disappointed. I can't justify the price considering I've had 3 mediocre brunches... A crepe, a salad and an omelet. The omelet was the best of the bunch, and was cooked perfectly - but probably wasn't worth the wait or the price. It's unfortunate that this place has one of the better interiors amongst brunch venues because that's really the only draw. I'll probably end up eating here again when out-of-towners come to visit... But I won't enjoy the food.
(3)Becky P.
Brunch food is good, but I just spent an hour and a half waiting for food. About to walk out.
(2)Robert B.
My absolutely favorite place to eat and to bring out-of-towners for breakfast or brunch. Can't beat the lively atmosphere. You can't find a better breakfast in a2. It's worth the wait on the busiest days.
(5)J R.
Zola. What is going on? We used to love coming through your doors, for the last 14 years -- except for the last visit last week. Food was meh, no love put into it while the waitress clearly was recovering from the night before and forgot everything. Perhaps we got an off moment, but for us it was off-putting as the food definitely required more love for the price being charged. Appears that we will moving on, parting is such sweet sorrow.
(2)Rachel B.
Came here for a bite to eat before a show. It was a Saturday night and they got us in with no wait (awesome). Got the Kobe burger which seemed right for the price ($15). Asked for the burger medium and it came out well done. Didn't have enough time to get a new one so I ate it and although it was overcooked it wasn't horrible. The fries have Parmesan and rosemary on them- nice touch. Homemade ketchup is delicious although it tastes nothing like the ketchup from a Heinz bottle. Friends got the crab cakes- completely over priced. Two 2" crab cakes for $15. I work in a fine dining restaurant and prices don't usually shock me but that was a horrible portion. Server was not very attentive and we watched as every other table in the restaurant got a bread basket with some sort of olive and butter plate (some even before they ordered dinner), and we never received one nor were we asked if we wanted any. Overall, I don't think I would ever return.
(2)Melissah L.
My boyfriend and I had a great Saturday morning brunch here at Cafe Zola. I loved the buzzing atmosphere and the fabulous service. There was a little bit of a wait to be seated, but since there were only two of us it only ended up being about ten minutes. We sat at a cute table outside, and our waiter was really attentive and nice. My boyfriend ordered the kobe brunch burger and I had salmon hash. I was pleasantly surprised when our food came to find that the servings were quite large. My boyfriend loved his burger, and I thought my salmon hash was pretty good. It got a bit boring after my first few bites, but I added some salt and mixed in some egg yolk and that helped things a bit. Definitely could have used a bit more flavor, but overall I was impressed the overall experience and I would definitely come back!
(4)S R.
I honestly don't understand the fuss, Ann Arbor needs more brunch options if this is it's most highly rated one. I find the food mediocre (at best) and the waitstaff stuffy and elitist. And don't get me started on the owner who runs the hostess stand on the weekends, she's a witch!! I heard her go OFF on one of her hosts in front of a full waiting room. She seems like a nasty woman; not someone I want to give my money to. Overrated.
(1)Annette J.
Seriously, Zola! How you gonna make the best strawberry and banana waffle ever?! I mean, honestly! It's just a waffle! With fresh strawberries and bananas! And yet, you've got me craving this ish on a regular basis! How does that happen? Ah right! Quality control! Excellent ingredients! The right proportions. REAL WHIPPED CREAM. That's right. You got it. And your crepes? Oh man. The spiced apple crepe with the cranberries and pecans (or was it walnuts? They're both good so it's cool). The perfect fall meal! Love. It. The steamed milk and honey? The most soothing beverage you can get. There can be a wait but it's worth it. And it's usually not too bad (if you're a late riser like I am anyway). The patio outside is lovely for warm days but the inside is loud and bustling. Quite the pick me up! Menu choices abound! Not just waffles and crepes but Mediterranean plates, omelets and other egg dishes, salads, sandwiches, coffee, smoothies, ahhhh! So many choices! Thank goodness my trusty waffle is so good that I never have to worry about feeling overwhelmed. But it's good to know if I'm feeling like a savory dish that I've got options. Many, many options. And they do dinner too! But that's for another day. I'm too stuck on these waffles right now....
(4)Al D.
Cute little café/restaurant with lots of upscale options at a decent price. Went for breakfast a couple of times and on Saturdays (obviously) the wait can be quite long, about half an hour, but worth it. Don't pass by without getting a hot chocolate, it's the best I've ever had.
(5)Fernando D.
Very good service. If you want to add/subtract to your dish, they accomodate willingly. A level of sophistication AND quality that is pleasing. Worth visiting and enjoying.
(5)R S.
Zola is overpriced for what you receive and not worth the wait--though if pressed to choose would prefer the downtown location to the "Zola Bistro" outpost on Washtenaw. An asparagus and goat cheese omelette should have more than a few ceremonial spears of asparagus and a grudging dab of cheese for the $15 price on the menu.
(3)Jojo Q.
I really wish there was a Zola-alternative in Ann Arbor. I lived there for 3 years and this was by far my favorite brunch place. I really like their crepes, the waffles, the omelets, the bacon (yum). Also my favorite "bar" in the strict sense - in the evenings its not too noisy, the stools are ample and it is a comfortable setting to have some drinks with someone and actually be able to converse. They have a cucumber-mint-lime drink that I totally love. The prices are steep, for Ann Arbor and quite frankly for ANYWHERE but there is a supply and demand issue that allows them to get away with it. So be it. I don't mind paying higher prices for high quality food and a nice environment (to a limit, of course). HOWEVER.... the service leaves A LOT to be desired. I recently went for brunch with my fiancé and inlaws and one of us ordered a waffle for which a VERY SMALL (actually kind of TINY) amount of (real) maple syrup was provided. Basically, the amount of syrup provided for the size of the waffle was ABOLUTELY INSUFFICIENT. It barely covered half of the waffle (for which, mind you, the price is over 10 dollars). When we asked the server for more syrup, she indicated there would be an additional charge. We complained that it is not fair to charge extra for a condiment that is 1) routinely served with the dish, and 2) provided in INSUFFICIENT quantity for the size of the dish. I mean, I found this LUDICROUS AND OFFENSIVE. We complained and asked to speak to the manager. It was the manager (and owner, I think, but I could be wrong) who came over, and in a totally unapologetic and frankly defensive manner asked us what was wrong. We explained the above. She indicated that due to the HIGH QUALITY syrup, they cannot just provide unlimited syrup (!). I understand that, but you cannot underserve maple syrup for a waffle, period. And if you want to be stingy with the real maple syrup, then offer another less expensive option so that your patrons can enjoy their $10 + waffle ! This is BASIC. We explained our point of view to the lady, but she was unyielding and it was frankly offensive the way that she treated us. She should learn to be NICE to her customers, as they are the ones that allow her to stay in business. In any case, it is truly sad, that it comes down to this. But on principle, I don't know if I CAN go back to a restaurant that treats its customers this way. All we were requesting was enough syrup for the waffle, and they wanted to charge us EXTRA for what is already an expensive dish (for a waffle). I hope they read this review and learn from this comment.
(1)Randy G.
Which do you choose? The restaurant that has a 45 min wait, a crowd loitering amongst the tables on their outside patio or stop in a place that has no wait and you're the only souls? You go with the wait! Your taste buds will thank you happily for waiting. Cafe Zola is a must on the Ann Arbor culinary tour. There is a reason it's packed and you'll wait, because it's good, very good. Lets start with the pretty latte they brought out. Flavors were good, but it's worth noting that the design they drew gave a very nice presentation. The good stuff now! The salmon hash with horseradish creme sauce. How often do you get to eat salmon hash. The hash was prepared very well, rich with the salmon flavor, but not too fishy or overpowering. Cutting into those fried eggs and allowing the yolk to soak up in the hash, creates a perfect mortar, tying the salmon, hash, and eggs all together. It now has a full body flavor. Just when you think the dish is complete, comes the horseradish creme sauce with a little bite to the flavor complimenting the salmon. You want that spicy, horseradish kick to the hash to really make it sing. We couldn't resist and had to try the chocolate and banana crepe as well. Since this was an eating adventure post Big House Big Run 5/10k event, we were craving some more food and carbs. Onto dessert! Many chocolate and banana crepes, served traditionally without ice cream, Zola's comes with it. I would say the bananas were a little mushy and not caramelized enough, but still went well with the chocolate nutella, ice cream, and a thin sweet crepe.
(4)Brad S.
I was searching for a brunch place on Sunday morning in A squared. My first two choices opened later so I went to #3, Cafe Zola. I liked the look and feel of the place inside and the food choices and taste were good, but there is something about waitstaff that just don't seem that happy to be there that is a major turnoff especially when you're paying $15 for two eggs and sausage. I wouldn't mind trying later in the day as maybe they were out too late the prior night, but I can't give it any more than 3 stars right now.
(3)Bianca P.
So I've always liked this place for breakfast. Their food is fresh and their smoothies are yummy, but recently, my parents and I went to Zola's for dinner. Now Zola's feels completely different at dinner time (they even cover the tables in white tablecloths) but the food was as fresh as ever. We started with the eggplant crostini and the roasted chickpeas which were super tasty. Then we had a kale and red apple salad which was really lovely. For our entrees I had a salmon burger which was cooked beautifully, my father has the rainbow trout (special) and it was really rich and flavourful and, honestly, I forgot what my mom ordered, but she enjoyed it.
(4)Dairo I.
Café Zola has solid food, but I would never go there again. They have serious service quality issues, and it starts at the top with the manager / owner. She is apparently infamous in Ann Arbor for treating her staff poorly, and you can tell they are frightened by her. The waitress that served us clearly meant well, but was untrained, extremely slow with service, and was overwhelmed by the volume of customers. When I asked to speak to the manager to give her my feedback, she dismissed my comments and in arrogant way said she didn't need my business and walked away. Getting back to the food, if you're already at Cafe Zola and are wondering what to order, I think the waffles, omellettes, and crepes are all very good. But don't give this owner your money. She's an insult to the restaurant industry.
(1)Karly C.
PROS: Their food is pretty darn good - it's on the top of my favorite brunch restaurant list. Their Belgian waffles with orange butter and maple syrup are tough to beat and they have some great savory crepes including the Florentine crepe. The atmosphere is unique and it's well decorated with some original art pieces and if you get there at a decent time, you don't have to wait too long. CONS: while the atmosphere is updated, when they're busy, the noise of the restaurant is difficult to ignore. I do love that that a local business is flourishing, but it's frustrating when they're busy and it's difficult to hear those with you. The menu is a little on the pricier side but competitive for the downtown Ann Arbor area.
(4)Corynne G.
Moderately priced, love the atmosphere, food is good. I'll return :)
(4)Sara B.
I've had mixed experiences here at best. The service is sometimes spotty, especially when they get busy, and there is ALWAYS a wait on Weekends. I don't mean a 15 minute wait either, I mean a line around the block that totally isn't justified hour wait. The best experience I had here was when I got a waffle with fruit topping and a mimosa. Was it worth the 28 or so dollars? Not really, but it was very good. However, both of the crepes I've tried were lackluster, dry, and slight on the fillings. If there's no line and you can manage to get the right thing it's good, but if you have to wait and you get crepe, I would say it's not worth it.
(3)Olivia P.
I don't come here often because there's often a line for weekend brunches, but today it was raining so there wasn't that much of a wait. Anyway, I decided to try something different this time. I had Zola's Crab Cake Benedict. A little pricey at $15.95 but I wanted to try it since I really enjoy crab cake benedicts. Unfortunately I was quite disappointed. Basically, it was 1 crab cake served on one half of an english muffin, and an egg on the other half of the muffin. I changed my egg from being done over easy to just plain egg whites. First off, I paid an extra $2.95 for changing a serving of one egg to egg whites. Way too pricey in my opinion (consider paying 1-2 dollars for changing a serving of 2 or 3 eggs to egg whites at other breakfast joints) and definitely would not have changed it if I knew I was going to pay that much. Next, the crab cake. While the dish came with only 1 crab cake, I must say that it was really packed with a lot of crab meat. There were too many chopped peppers and onions inside for my liking though. Paid $18.90 before tax and tip for my crab cake benedict. Don't think I'll get it again from Cafe Zola and would probably stick with something like the Champignon Crepe. If i want my fix of crab cake benedict, I'll probably head to Angelos. Better bang for for your buck ($9.99 for 2 crab cakes and 2 eggs) and more flavorful.
(3)Jessica R.
Cafe Zola is expensive, but is always a great meal. I've had dinner here several times; their burgers are insanely good, and their general meals (half chicken, e.g.) are creative and filling. For brunch, the Turkish Breakfast blows my mind. The omelettes and milkshakes are also great. In the summer you can sit outside. The sun really beats down on you, though.
(4)Rina N.
This brunch spot is legit. I highly recommend the classic Belgian waffle as they use Greek yogurt in their batter which I think makes a world of a difference! (Crispy and moist!!) Salmon hash is my favorite so far, coffee is a little too expensive for fair trade (3.50) and bitter taste, but that's my personal opinion and coffee preference :)
(4)Crystal M.
First time coming here, I thought this place would be good because of other reviews but I was definitely wrong. The server took too long to get my order and would disappear for a long time when I needed something. There was only a few people eating here at the time as well. My entree was very small. The raw tuna had no flavor. It was just plain with avocado. The sauce was all on the bottom. There was way too much, it overwhelmed everything else. I think it was just soy sauce or something of that sort. The two pieces of bread that came with it was hard and tasted like it had wasabi in it. I spent too much on this dish. It was not worth what I had to pay. Next time I come to Ann Arbor again, this is not on my list of restaurants to go to.
(2)Tom R.
Stopped in on way home from Ann Arbor. I really like places like this, diverse menu, bar, coffee, and all done well. Perfect for brunch time.
(4)Sami S.
Love this place! I like their brunch better than dinner but the service is great and they are really friendly.
(4)Khiang S.
Great restaurant for breakfast. You step in and light music is playing in the background. waitresses are dressed in their own fun way. That along made this place feels fun and energetic. I sat at the bar and service was quick. Good selection of breakfast items. Opted for a vegetarian omelette this am. Nice big portion. Had the Provençal omelette. Just a fun place to hangout.
(4)Victoria S.
Whatever you do, do NOT go here on a Sunday. EVER. First, we were told our wait was 30-40 minutes when we arrived at 11. We waited over an hour because they accommodated a party of 18. Yes. EIGHTEEN. On an overcrowded post-Michigan Football Sunday morning. This party should have been forced to split up into smaller groups or find a new restaurant. Second, they RAN OUT OF COFFEE. HOW in the name of Columbia does a place known for it's brunch RUN OUT OF COFFEE ON A SUNDAY??!! We had 4 coffee drinkers at our table and from time to time our waitress would stop by with one of their small coffee urns which barely fill a single person's cup, let alone the four of us! Third, half of our food for our party was served tepid or ice cold, including a waffle and a crepe, both of which were sent back to the kitchen to be reheated or remade. The waffle, which had previously been covered in whipped cream, was MICROWAVED, turning it into a rubbery squishy mess. Thank goodness the manager comp'd that one, otherwise there would've been hell to pay. Fourth, and certainly not least, our party of six was squeezed around a table for four in the corner of the restaurant, and waited on by one of the worst servers I've encountered in Ann Arbor. Overall, this was the final nail in the coffin for me at Zola, and as much as I love the Turkish Brunch, I don't think I'll be going back again.
(1)Emine S.
I'm Turkish. The owner of Zola is Turkish. If there is one thing Turks take very seriously is..... Oh! Surprise, surprise! Breakfast and Brunch. This restaurant is legit. From the breads, the butters, the coffees, the teas, the need to showcase Turkish pride as Turkish items are freckled throughout the menu. Now I must admit, I'm not not proud of it, I haven't tried anything but the Turkish Brunch and Turkish eggs (blame my father). But every time I had it I was whisked back to the Bospherus sitting in sunshine and admiring the gorgeous views Istanbul has to offer. That woman is serious about her restaurant and only quality items go in. It's a must try of Ann Arbor.
(5)Alice C.
do you realize that there is a bagel on the menu that costs $17???? sure, it has a couple slices of smoked salmon on it, but so do thousands of other places, including some in very expensive cities like new york and san francisco, and NONE OF THEM COST SEVENTEEN DOLLARS. minus one star for that ridiculousness. minus another star for the pretentious attitudes of both zola and the staff. poor staff -- I hear they are poorly treated. anyhoo, 3 stars for the delicious food, excellent ambiance, local artwork on the walls, and for making crabcakes that I dream about.
(3)Nicole L.
Zola definitely wins for the loveliest brunch in town. I've never had something that wasn't extraordinary, and they have some of the greatest omelets I've ever had. Pick a time without the rush (or even when you can sit outside) and it's perfection.
(5)Blair R.
Cafe Zola is an Ann Arbor staple and with good reason. I've only ever visited for brunch but the menu options are expansive and interesting. I've had omelets, the turkish eggs and the turkish brunch and haven't been disappointed. The food is substantial with fresh and tasty ingredients. I especially love that Cafe Zola loves feta almost as much of me. MMM! I can also probably eat the entire bread basket and be happy. The prices are high, especially for a sunday brunch. Also -- sometimes i want a place that is simple and classic -- Cafe Zola is not that.
(4)Ari Z.
Great food. Clean cooking. Always satisfied. A little pricey and expect to wait on the weekends.
(5)Tina M.
I had one of the sweet crepes and it's not what I expected (too buttery), but that's probably partially on me for misreading the menu. My friend had the savory mushroom crepe and it was delicious! The seating outside is uncomfortably tight - you can't help but hear conversations from the tables on either side of yours. I don't live in Ann Arbor but will go back when I visit again. Huge menu!
(3)Derek W.
Not a good experience. We made reservations for 7:45 on a Saturday night for five people. We all arrived on time. We waited 50 minutes past our reservation time to get seated. Every time a slightly larger party arrived they would seat them first even if they had a later reservation. One of those parties knew we had been waiting over half an hour and offered to buy us a drink when they got seated first, which is more than the management of the restaurant did for us. I would have much preferred that they had simply told us early on that they were not going to honor reservation than to keep us there by saying "just five more minutes" for the last 30 minutes of our wait. The hostess said "we will make it up to you" but no effort was made in that direction. My guess is that they take as many reservation as they can and don't care if they overbook. It made for a bad dining experience and made us so late we had to cancel our other plans. As to the food, I would say that the appetizers were pretty good (especially the stuffed peppers) and the salads were fresh and tasty. However the entrees were pretty pedestrian servings of expensive meat in butter and a bit tasteless for $30+ per plate.
(1)Samantha G.
this is probably the nicest atmosphere/food combo I have found in Ann Arbor in the few weeks I've been here. Delicious cocktails started things off well, and a really nice variety of food options made my picky-eating parents very happy. We had a lamb kofte appetizer, carrot-ginger soup, and I had scallops on pasta in a refreshing lemon cream sauce. Our waitress was extremely attentive and I think she steered us all in the right direction in terms of what to order and how much. The restaurant is nicely decorated and there's a fair amount of space for groups - good for small-ish celebrations/occasions. My only complaint was that there were some kids running around and causing a ruckus that got to be a little disruptive, but that wasn't the restaurant's fault. Great place for an interesting and tasty meal!
(5)Rebekah H.
$3.50 for coffee is absurd. This place used to have my two thumbs up everytime, but no one can charge $3.50 for mediocre lukewarm coffee and $13 for eggs and keep my business. Fyi, Zola, this is not new york. And even in new york, no one charges $3.50 for coffee, except Sarabeth's, but they shouldn't and neither should you.
(2)Jennifer H.
A bit on the pricey side but the food is worth it! A go-to for breakfast when we can get away without kids. We often split an omelet & it's more than enough! Usually great service!
(5)Tricia K.
Went here for a belated Valentine's Day plus birthday dinner. Its a pricey place so I would only come here on special occasions but all of the food was very good and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for a nice date or place to get together with friends. Both of us started with a special Blood Orange Salad served that night. I am glad we were both selfish and ordered our own because it was not big enough to split as it was barely side salad sized. He had sea scallops for dinner and I had the sea bass as recommended by other reviewers. Both were cooked to perfection (i.e not over cooked). Now we come to dessert, why is it that so many restaurants in AA have either ice cream with every selection or they are dairy based? Not that I mind much, I love dairy desserts. But BF is dairy intolerant and many times we have to skip the best part of going out to dinner because there isn't anything we can get. However, I talked him into getting the warm chocolate cake and we got the ice cream on the side which I am glad we did because it was delicious.
(4)Sam G.
This place might be three stars if it weren't for the prices and the hype. I've been here about six times for breakfast and brunch. Sometimes even if I wasn't paying I left feeling I had paid too much. Service, even when it's not very busy, is removed and abrupt. Good luck when the place is hopping. I always feel like a cog in a machine (and not the Charlie Chaplin funny kind). The food never wowed me. All of the benedicts (yup. all of 'em. I'm a benny addict) were bland and the textures were all off. The crab cake was fishy and mushy. The eggs didn't bleed perfection. Their omelets and hash are also just so-so. I could get better seasoning and flavor at a diner, honestly. There are basically no vegan options here whatsoever so careful if you want to go that route. You can have a bagel with some mustard and a tomato - and that will run you 6 bucks. There's also something about the clientele that really gets my hair to stand on end (and the rest to fall out from stress). Call me an urban manner stickler but if I'm holding the door for you with one hand, and a stack of to-go boxes in the other, at least thank me? This has happened to me not once but three times. I have also had the door literally slammed in my face and been physically shoved out of the waiting line. All of this on separate occasions. I see good reviews here for the crepes and waffles so if I ever get finagled into going here again, that's what I'm going to try. The savory route has broken my heart. Hopefully the sweet can mend it.
(2)Meeta B.
Ok, so this is soooo dating me, but I'm alright with that. I was a fan of the old cafe Zola's when it was a coffee shop and you could get a ridiculously delicious crepe at night and study there. And then, it changed. The food- it stayed good and I still went but not as often and then it became I came here for a drink with friends and didn't try the food. So fast forward to a few weeks ago when a friend of mine came into town and stated she had never been to Zola's and would like to go. Now, since she was a guest in town I said sure and we went. The omelettes? I had gotten the Nadia's omelette, which has been my standard order there at brunch for years. It never disappoints! Even though I asked for a half order, this was by no means a fluffy delicious omelette. My friend had gotten the asparagus and goat cheese omelette and felt that it didn't have enough of the filling in it. We also got drinks that were good but nothing that surprised us. After paying almost 28 a piece with tax and tip, I think we felt that might be the last time we go to Zola's for awhile. Perhaps I should've just stuck to the banana nutella crepe, which has always made me happy. And, maybe I wouldn't have been disappointed. Ah well. The service was good and our waitress was great, but the food just left me so disappointed and yearning for the Zola's of the early 2000's.
(2)N Y.
We made reservations here for family weekend and had an enjoyable evening. My husband ordered the whole barramundi wrapped and baked in parchment- it was really excellent and everybody had a bite. Also ordered was the flat iron and strip NY and both entrees were cooked perfectly to order, and allowed to swap potatoes for mash. Service was prompt and friendly, prices are reasonable for very good food, and has a nice cafe atmosphere.
(4)Kelly E.
Frittata Zola. Do it. Seriously. A thin egg frittata with sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, challah croutons and goat cheese. It was huge for one person, so I had amazing leftovers. Comes with roasted potatoes. If you ask for no potatoes, they bring you bread with herbed butter. Subbing carbs with an equally delicious carb is always appreciated! It's crazy packed on the weekends. If you're okay sitting at the bar, you'll get placed sooner. They do egg whites in everything, if that interests you. I, personally, love yolks.
(4)Katie C.
It's really unfortunate that I have to give Zola two stars, because they have one of my favorite breakfasts in town. I just love the Turkish Eggs. Unfortunately I have to do my best re-creating them at home for myself because I can't stand the consistently shoddy service there. I've been more than a dozen times (because of those eggs!) before I gave up and said never again. I never had service that was even average, always really, really slow.
(2)Anne P.
My family and I went here for brunch a few weeks ago to celebrate a birthday and we were very disappointed. The restaurant is so noisy that we could not carry on a conversation without shouting. It was actually a relief to leave when the meal was over. I thought the crepe I had was uninspiring. So although we like the decor we won't be going to Zola's again.
(2)Jose S.
Unique menu. A little pricey. Will, our waiter, was charming, funny and attentive. We plan on returning soon.
(4)Aleks S.
After a night spent at the Weber my girlfriend and I decided to have brunch at Cafe Zola. All the reviews and pictures definitely helped us make a decision on visiting this restaurant. First Impression: The atmosphere is energetic, upbeat, decor is modern, lots of exposed brick walls, a variety of light fixtures, cool bar. They are busy here so my assumption is that one would have to wait at times, we only had a 5 minute wait. We skipped the table and decided to sit at the bar, bartenders are very attentive and service is fast, which I like. We started with a couple of Lattes a raspberry flavor shot, and a couple of mimosas. The drinks were very good, totally satisfied with them. My girlfriend ordered the crab cake benedict which was very good, no complaints there. I had the farmers omelet, it had peppers, onions, ham, havarti cheese and redskin potatoes on the side. The omelet and the crab cake benedict were very good portions, actually the omelet was enough for 2, its huge! Taste was great, service was as well so why not 5 stars? Well.... It's a little pricy, I like this place and we will go back when we are in the area, but will be more conscious of what we order. Definitely recommend, go check it out, you will not regret it!
(4)Saloni G.
Phenomenal place for brunch. Wayyy better than Angelo's/Afternoon Delight etc. The food tastes fresh, the concept is different (Turkish?) and the staff is great. Definitely try the bloody marys. Watch out on Sundays- the line can be down the block. One of my favorite places in Ann Arbor!
(5)Amelia H.
For the price, I expected better. I had the eggs crab cake benedict with the rosemary potatoes and coffee, which should probably be some of their best breakfast dishes. My companion had Hediye's breakfast(sp?), an olives-and-tomato egg scramble type deal on a bagel, with the strawberry lemonade. Both were served to us barely lukewarm - clearly had been under the heat lamps for a while. Mine (the benedict) was good, but nothing special. My companion, on the other hand, hated his breakfast - he said he'd had better eggs on bagels at McDonald's. Both were barely warm and definitely lacking in the flavor - just generally really unimpressive, especially when you're shelling out a good $50 total for two breakfasts. The service was decent, despite the restaurant being packed for Saturday afternoon brunch, but the food really left something to be desired. I had pretty high hopes for this place after reading the reviews, but frankly, there are far better places for brunch in Ann Arbor for half the price. Not worth the wait; not worth the money.
(2)Benjamin F.
Best upscale restaurant in Ann Arbor. Hands down. blows other places (with the exception of Pacific Rim and Vinology) out of the water. Get the Crepes for Brunch, the lemon Tagliarini for Dinner, and the sausage sandwhich for lunch, and you'll be very happy. Not terribly pricey either. Great service. Also the Zingerman's bread and Olive infused Butter spread is phenomenal.
(5)Lil'J R.
A Scot and two Indians walk into Cafe Zola .... Straight of the catwalk prances our waitress Crystal. All ponytail and disgust for the entire human race. After some confusion over the request for Cranberry juice, strong tea and coffee with milk, all of which challenging orders I know, we ordered our food. I think my waffle order mananged to penetrate the shadow of a Crystal brain cell but sadly my friends were not so fortunate. Assuming that robots can pick up on keywords, my friend simply re-called the crepe description of the one she wanted: plain crepe, orange hazelnut butter. And so began the naming of the crepes. The choice was orange OR hazelnut butter. Realizing that this could become a never ending struggle over good and evil my friend quickly picked one: orange butter. I breath feeling the end is near. Our order is robotically read back to us... blah blah blah hazelnut butter. At his point, ready to pour melted butter into my own eyes, I interject. "She just wants orange butter." So after all that you'd think the crepe would come with the damn orange butter right?.... sigh. Throughout this rich and joyous dining experience we were met with constant reminders from our waitress that she was resting on a higher plain of existence than the rest of us. TELLING somebody to move the menu so that you can put down the plate is both unnecessary and downright mean. Seeing three people exchanging money does not mean that these three people are thickos and need your help to split the bill. I'm giving Cafe Zola a star for the tasty waffles. Crystal got a $2 tip. Simply for not murdering one of us in the restroom.
(1)Beck E.
Came here for cocktails in a group of 10 at night (had to call ahead to make reservations), and they were quite tasty. I had a bellini and something else... both very good, each $9-10. I was a bit taken aback to see that the spaghetti & meatballs was $26. Whooooooa. I don't care how good it is, I am not paying that much + tax + tip for a plate of pasta.
(4)S L.
The food is usually good, but the waitstaff is touch and go. The last time I went there for a birthday celebration dinner the waitress gave me my filet mignon without utensils or knife. She made her way around the table and I asked her when she was close by if she could please give me a knife when she had a chance. She gave no response. The next time she came around I asked again -no response. So then as she was leaving the table and I said, "Excuse me, miss?" She retorted, "I heard you! You will just have to wait." I told her that I was sorry but I never knew if she could hear me. By the time I had a knife my filet was stone cold.
(1)Sylvonna R.
I cannot believe I have lived in Ann Arbor almost my whole life and had never discovered Cafe Zola. THIS is my new favorite weekend brunch place. I felt like I was back in Washington, DC at some trendy little cafe where all the hipsters hang out after their long nights that turned into early mornings. With a menu that has savory crepes and sweet crepes, salads, sandwiches, omlettes, burgers, waffles, french toast, pastries and basically anything else your heart could desire, there is a place for everyone and their appetite. The atmosphere here is great! Perfect location right downtown Ann Arbor. Though bustling and a bit crowded, it seems like the perfect spot to meet a friend and catch up without fear that you'll be taking up a table for too long or worry that your conversation will get too loud (just my kind of place). The staff is friendly and helpful even when they are busy. Cafe Zola has everything I could ask for in a restaurant; I will definitely be back soon!
(5)Amy B.
Cafe Zola makes me cranky. When I first moved to Ann Arbor in the early aughts, Zola was a chill, laid back cafe that turned into a hot brunch spot on the weekends and a bistro around dinner time. During the day, you could park yourself on one of their funky velvet couches or little cafe tables, hook up the laptop, and pound away on the keyboard while slurping bottomless coffees and inhaling pastries. They changed their business model several years ago to be more like a restaurant and less like a cafe. Basically, there is no more grad student lurking in Zola. This is now a serious upscale eatery, where every patron is seated properly at a table eating food and leaving when they're done. Which would be fine--there are many restaurants that I love that can also be described this way. But Zola is so effing pretentious, and the food just doesn't back up the attitude. Either Zola trains its staff to act snotty, or the owners tend to hire people who are that way by nature. The greeters and servers are almost uniformly unfriendly. Nothing here in my mind is exceptional food. I like the Belgian waffles covered in ice cream and sweet toppings, but it just takes a trip to the grocery store to make something similar at home. The sandwiches are good, but again, easily replicated--and while I know Zingerman's bread is the hallmark of a good restaurant in Ann Arbor, I would appreciate not having a sore jaw after trying to eat my sandwich. Enough with the crusty old bread! I usually order the meatloaf sandwich here for $12. It's ok. Just ok. By comparison, my favorite meatloaf sandwich in Boston in one of the most expensive areas of town is $9 and about 3 times as delicious. I'll use one specific experience here to illustrate. Some friends were getting married, and asked me to organize a brunch for the wedding party (mostly out of towners) at Zola the day of the wedding. I made a reservation but we still had loads of fun with table mishaps and them refusing to seat us when one member of our huge group had trouble getting parking. Yep, 13/14 people in a group is not enough for them to seat you. The food was its usual mediocre self. Then the bill came, and jaws dropped. Over $7 for a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice! We joked that you could buy a bag of oranges AND the labor to squeeze them for less than that price. Let's see, good things to say about Zola. They have a good tea selection. Their coffee is strong and tasty (but overpriced, especially considering that Sweetwaters is about 20 feet away). But really, the only reason I'm giving them the second star is because I remember the way it once was.
(2)Claire H.
The food saved this review! Our service was awful. My husband's coffee did not get delivered to the table until half way through our breakfast. The server blamed the bar for being "distracted", when in reality my husband and I could see her and other servers chatting in the back of the restaurant. I had ordered chocolate milk which ended up tasting like chocolate powder water so I sent it back (even though it also was not delivered until half way through our meal), and got the fresh OJ instead. That turned out to be a much better choice, but we were shocked the server did not waive the $5 juice as the drink did not arrive until my last bite of food. The service was awful, but the food was amazing. Loved the salmon hash - such a unique combo of flavors! My husband had the strawberry banana crepe and it was delicious. The bread and herb butter was also out of this world. We will be probably go back, but will be hoping for a different server!!
(3)Kate P.
My Monte Cristo sandwich was amazing! So fluffy and rich. The coffee is also good, which is important for brunch. Loved it!
(5)Artime M.
Nice brunch spot with a simple menu. I had the asparagus and goats cheese omelette, which was satisfactory. My friend had one of the waffles and it was phenomenal! I'd go back for the waffle. The cappuccino was fantastic too.
(4)Gina D.
Came here for brunch on Saturday, 12/15/12. The place was packed, and the wait was around 15 minutes. The menu is quite extensive, but I was looking for something to quell a sugar craving. I decided that the Nutella Banana Crepe sounded perfect. In the meantime, while I waited for my crepe, I decided to order a French Press made with columbian coffee. I had that before at Sweet Lorraine's and it was very good. Unfortunately, this coffee was just too strong for my liking, so I had to send it back, it was around $ 8.95, and I did not want to pay that much for coffee that I did not like. But the crepe was to die for. Just perfect in every way. Nutella, banana, crème chantilly, toasted almonds, and raspberry sauce (on the side please). They are very generous with the scoops of ice cream also. Husband had a salad with tuna. He had ordered this before for dinner and liked it. We will definitely be back.
(5)Tanya A.
4 stars sounds about right. This quaint little cafe is a wonderful option for brunch. It is located conveniently near a parking lot in the heart of Ann Arbor. With French and American influence, Cafe Zola offers a wide variety on their menu and is vegetarian friendly. My table ordered steamed almond milk, hot chocolate, a Hediye's breakfast, Portabello Panino, creamy tomato soup, and a banana nutella crepe. The almond milk was just as it says, almond milk. It was good. The hot chocolate was not that hot. Fail. It was, however, not too rich and not too sweet, so I appreciated that. The Hediye's breakfast, a Zola favorite, was mehh.. It came on a bagel, I chose the everything bagel, with scrambled eggs and vegetables. The array of vegetables was interesting..I wouldn't prefer to have asparagus with eggs though. Overall, that dish was bland. For an everything bagel, it didn't have everything on it, especially my favorite, garlic. The eggs lacked flavor, so the salt and pepper at the table had to suffice. I also asked for tabasco sauce and ketchup, to spice it up a bit. The panini was good, but in general, I'm not too big of a fan of paninis, so again, it was okay. The chips on the side, however, were fantastic. They were a collection of exotic vegetable chips. I've had them before, and they are always good. The pickle was no good. As for the banana nutella crepe, a la mode...yummy. There was a bit of raspberry sauce on there, which was a nice touch of something sweet and tangy to something so rich. It also complimented the ice cream well. The toasted almonds were a great addition as well...I only wish they put more of it on there. It was a good dessert and filling for three. The waitress was nice but a bit slow, especially for a slower day at the eatery. Altogether, the food was mediocre but the menu was great, and I appreciated the effort. Maybe I came on a bad day because my friends raved about this place before I went. I have given it the benefit of the doubt and reviewed Cafe Zola as a 4. I will most likely come back to Zola when I am in Ann Arbor again.
(4)Lindsey S.
my most FAVORITE place in all of ann arbor !! it is scrumptious , ALWAYS! On a nice sunny day, there is nothing better than to kick it outside of cafe zola on w.washington, this part of the street always has some great people watching. they have comfortable seating indoors and out. its kinda fun to go to zola at different times, bc they re arrange some of the "dining" room furniture. there is a bar stool seating as well! FULL STOCKED BAR - great craft cocktails and sangria. For lunch or brunch - this is your spot !! you can order almost everything under the sun here, but this menu stops at 4PM. I love their crafty omeletes - they bring a new level of high class and deliciousness to their omelettes - not just your typical greasy whites. Even tho the omelette may seem a bit pricey its totally worth it!! *Artichoke Omelette13.95 -- An open-faced oven baked omelette with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, green beans, potatoes, and red onions under its melted topping of savory Vermont cheddar cheese. nothing tops this in my book!! *crepes!! they have sweet and savory and normal crepes, its not every day you get a fabulous crepe, tastes straight out of france. * kobe burger and fries - juicy burger that is tender and delicious. the fries are sprinkled with rosemary ( maybe), something real good and salt. they've got this burger down!! comes with homemade sauces. ***** Flat iron steak sandwich **** o man !! this dish !! it fills a hole in ur heart like no other dish, its the most perfectly tender pieces of steak, that is worth way more than the $13 for the dish - it comes with the most mouth watering camerlized onions, and onion roll, which i got toasted. this dish also comes with pomme frites !! skinyy lil fries with parmasean on top sprinkled. all in all they have this mouth watering sweet potatoe squash soup, that i count down the days until they serve it each fall !! no joke. the "bowl" size is ginormous , you really dont have to order anything else if you get this. the "cup" size is served in a tea cup - a bigger one. the other best part is THEY SERVE ZINGERMANS bread !! with olives and a homemade butter. white semolina is the bomb bread, eat it up and enjoy!!
(5)Tony L.
Not a bad place for a more upscale breakfast/brunch. Their open-faced omelettes are a nice change of pace from the typical kind. I have heard it gets very busy during peak hours, but it is nice and quiet early in the morning just after opening (7am). In the end, however, it's a bit tough to justify $20+ (with tax and tip) for an omelette and some coffee.
(3)Liz P.
There's not a ton of great brunch places downtown besides Angelo's and The Broken Egg, so we returned to Cafe Zola today - I'm an '09 UM grad who hasn't been back to Cafe Zola since 2009. The service was great, we did have like a 5-10 minute wait for a table but that's to be expected on a Sunday around 12pm. I had the waffles with strawberries and bananas (hold the bananas) and syrup and cream and they were delicious. Next time I will try one of their sandwiches or something too since now I know their crepes and waffles are both delicious. They have outdoor seating as well but we sat inside since the weather kept going from hot to cold and back. The food is a little pricey but can't be beat if you are looking for a breakfast or brunch place.
(4)Robert L.
Amazing Brunch. Long wait.
(4)Rahul J.
Great breakfast / brunch option on the weekends. Great food, outdoor seating and good service. I had the Turkish eggs and they were great.
(5)Guillermo K.
The Turkish eggs made me sad. I thought I'd be getting menemen, but I got this dry egg on some limp-ass spinach. Blech. The fries were a'ight.
(2)Erin H.
Like a lot of people I wish this place were bigger and not always so crowded or I would eat here more often. And also because it's so loud I can't ever take my parents here due to hearing issues. I have had wonderful dinners here and great sandwiches. I haven't really dived into the brunch menu, but I plan to someday. I'm really excited that the owners plan to open another restaurant in the new Arbor Hills shopping center opening on Washtenaw later this year!
(4)Hassan R.
The portions are small for the dollar amount, but the food is excellent! The service was nice, and it was nice to sit outside.
(4)N V.
Try the waffles with the strawberry butter! Best waffle ever.
(5)Sophie A.
Whenever I eat at Zola, I feel like something's missing. I've concluded that what's missing here is good service. The decor is great (love the exposed brick), the food is consistently good (although I wish it would change the menu more often), but the servers always seem incredibly aloof. Not sure if there's a management issue with Zola, but that would provide a possible explanation. If the service was better, I'd come here far more often.
(3)Corynne G.
Moderately priced, love the atmosphere, food is good. I'll return :)
(4)Paul S.
This Turkish -French creperie appeared some twenty years ago and it took well with the local population. I wasn't a big crepe fan then, but I did like their omlettes because of the delicate finishing touch: a sprinkling of herbes de Provence. In fact, I plagiarized this touch after I moved away from Ann Arbor. Today I met an old friend for breakfast and we beat the rush by about 40 minutes by getting sat at 9:15 am on a Sunday. My savory filled crepe contained eggs, ham and Harvarti cheese in a whole wheat wrap. Creme fraiche completed the package, however, I spiced it up with the locally produced Clancy's Fancy hot sauce. Excelsior! Coffee is good here too and service was polite and professional. As we wound down it was getting crowded and a line spilled out the door.
(4)Michael M.
Very nice experience. The problem is, Ann Arbor has such a plethera of top notch restaurants, were this in another city it may be a favorite, however I would say maybe third or fourth favorite in the city. With this said, we had an excellent meal. Cocktails, appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts were all excellent. We had the Miro and Tuna, and both were suberb. Our server was also wonderful, as was the atmosphere of the restaurant. We will most certainly return.
(5)Joel B.
Ok, look. The food was fine. My omelette tasted fine, but was very plain. Sort of a slab of scrambled eggs folded over some simple ham/sausage things. But, for 13 bucks, I expect an omelet to be a transcendent experience. This one was just ok. Would have been awesome for 6 bucks. My wife has the Turkish breakfast which she enjoyed. But, if you go, the potty has the greatest paper towels. Like drying your hands on the wings of an angel. Astounding in strength, unparalleled in cushionyness, and top notch in absorbency. Worth the overpriced omelette to just feel the paper towels.
(3)Al M.
Always a great lunch at this popular A-squared institution. Sampled a Kobe burger, a grilled chicken sandwich, and a couple of goat cheese and asparagus omelettes. I'd highly recommend requesting Zola's special-made ketchup condiment with any sandwich you order. It is zesty, spicy-sweet with just a touch of a tangy BBQ sauce. Outstanding! The natural brick walls trimmed with some tasteful art adds to the ambience although it can get a bit loud during the busy lunch hour. Solid 4 big ones.
(4)Kiva M.
The waffles are absolutely amazing. I go here just for the great waffles with strawberries and bananas. The coffee here is also great! The service here was great but they are usually extremely busy at brunch time so I would plan accordingly.
(4)Janis M.
The worst experience I have had. I made reservations for 4 at 12:00 noon. Two of my guests had to go to work. After sending back the raw steak salad 3X's we agreed she give up on eating today. The waitress had many excuses, like they were busy. We arrived at 11:45 & few tables were seated. She apologized for ordering the wrong dish but never for the SLOWEST service ever. We left at 3:00. The manager stepped in to explain that the raw meat is considered med-rare even though it was cool & after sending it back we were promised a "new" Plate of food, "they lied". Same cuts of beef & lettuce rearranged Very disappointed & never to return
(1)Kristin W.
I headed to Cafe Zola for a to-go breakfast and debated between the omelettes and the crepes. I ended up ordering the Smoked Salmon Omelette, which was a bit pricey at $16.95, but certainly fresh and delicious. I can't wait to go back and try crepes and more omelettes!
(5)Justin P.
Went to Cafe Zola for my birthday dinner with my girlfriend and loved every minute of it. Food was amazing. Service was ok. First, we order drinks. Both were well crafted and delicious. For appetizers, we ordered the Shakshuka and Smoked Salmon Bruschetta. Both were delicious and well presented. Next we got split a market greens salad. Dressing was great but it was an average salad. For our entrées I got the flat iron steak with a delicious side of chimichurry. My girlfriend got the salmon which was in a delicious sauce. The service is the only reason why it did not get 5 stars. The waitress was nice and paced the meal but unless she was serving the meal, she never came around. Didn't fill up the waters unless it was empty when she picked up the dishes. Our empty plates sat on the table for a while until she came back ready to serve our next course. Cannot wait to go back and try brunch!
(4)Dawn C.
Leave your budget at the door and GO FOR IT. One crepe is not going to fill anybody up, so you're going to need to order something else too.... oh but that one crepe will be super good, so you can't skip it. I tried the champignon crepe (mushroom savory) and wished it was bigger the moment I tasted it. Lots of mushrooms! Delicious! The waffle "a la gabus" with chocolate hazelnut drizzle, raspberry drizzle, whipped cream and ice cream was a great accompaniment. Though I was sad the crepe was all gone, I could now drown my sorrows in ice cream - for brunch! I leaned over to whisper to my friend that the first thing I would do when I got home would be to throw away my waffle maker. It doesn't make crispy edges, and I now realize that it's been letting me down for years. Goodbye waffle iron. It's you, not me. Thank you Cafe Zola for this moment of self discovery. Crowded! Our group of 8 had a reservation and would not have stood a chance to just show up unannounced and get a table.
(4)Kathy T.
I have never loved a Shrimp Taco more then I do here at Cafe Zola in Ann Arbor! Every single time I come here the associates greet me with a smile and already know my order! Their ketchup is also very unique - It is homemade and you can't find it anywhere else. Delightful with a sandwich or an asparagus omelette!
(5)Attossa C.
I used to visit semi-regularly for the brunch. Would go more often if I had the time. Went for dinner on mother's day. It was my first time having dinner there. Will, our server, was awesome. The food was very good. The bread and olives that were brought out were great. Everything tastes fresh, all the flavors tasted on purpose. I'm a fan.
(5)Christie R.
Terrible experience. Went for brunch on a Saturday. The space is sooo cramped. I ordered a salmon hash and it tasted awful. It was burned on the bottom and that threw off all the flavors. The waitress just gave us our food and didn't come back until we were done eating. A little too late for me to complain about the food. I paid cash and they didn't give me my change back. They ended up taking a 35% tip for terrible food and service. I will definitely not come back here.
(1)Laya L.
Came here for brunch with two of my friends and we all loved our food! The indoor decor is pretty nice and they have paintings for sale up on the wall too. It is a little pricey but I did find my food worth it.
(5)CV C.
Now I know why all pictures are from their brunch menu: their dinner one is just ok tasting. It's not bad, it's just that, if I'm going to pay this much for the food, I'd expect it to be more than just "I can make this at home for a fifth of the price". I'm curious about their brunch and will be back to check that out. I will, however, not be back for their dinner.
(3)J H.
The food is good but $14 for an egg bagel is pretty ridiculous. I would probably go there more often if it wasn't so darn expensive.
(3)Hannah S.
My boyfriend wanted to get blintzed out, and well, Cafe Zola sealed the deal with their blueberry blintze style crepe! The sweet farmer cheese, coupled with the sweet blueberries and fresh cream sauce was magical. He also got a side of polish sausage, which he thought was pretty good, but it was $4.75 for 2 pieces, so probably wouldn't do that again. I got the Normandie crepe, which was a cinnamon apple, walnut & cranberry crepe with fresh whipped creme. I really enjoyed it, but I was hoping that there would have been some sort of saucy component to pull it all together. It was a tad more than $10, which for me is steep, but it was good. Not as good as boyfriend's blintze crepe though! I also got a side of bacon, also $4.75, for 3 thick pieces. Standard fair bacon, and cooked crunchy how I like it, but nothing wowing. I also got a side of rosemary potatoes, which was a mixture of awesome, undercooked, and burnt. I think they were about $3.50 for a pretty decent mound of potato, so a better deal than the bacon or sausage for sure. I ended up paying about $25 for breakfast, which is highly unusual, and I don't think the food deserved the price, though it was pretty darn tasty! There is metered parking on the street, and parking structures just a block or two away. Service was fast and friendly, though we were the first ones inside at 7 am so that might be the case! (according to other slow-related service reviews). Overall, I enjoy Afternoon Delight or The Broken Egg more, but for sweet desserty breakfast, this may be exactly the place you want to go.
(4)Jeff B.
A fun brunch place in downtown Ann Arbor. We went for brunch on a Saturday morning around noon so naturally there was a bit of a wait! However they moved through the list fairly quickly and efficiently. Seating was tight but again, as to be expected at weekend brunch. The food here was good and everyone seemed to enjoy it. It's a bit pricey which sets your expectations high, but it was good. I had one of their omelettes and it was pretty big! But, an omelette is never a very impressive thing! (I'll have to try something else next time) A bunch of people with us ordered crepes and they looked delicious! The staff was also very nice. Our waitress was constantly refilling coffee and water and she kept an engaging and fun attitude. The food came out pretty quickly as well! I look forward to going back and trying out some of their other dishes!
(4)Mike K.
Maybe it's restaurant week. Maybe the staff was hassled and the cooks were slow. My wife and I went on a Tuesday during Restaurant Week and Zola's came up less than impressive. I'd think a featured eating location would be ready to go with their food. The potatoes everyone said was good? They're out. Oooh, mussles! No, sorry, we don't have those. Well, can we get calamari? Nope, that gone too. Well..... here, have some white rice. The 45 minute wait for the apps was okay because the weather was beautiful. Our server seemed stressed and she was dealing with some things. We're patient but I certainly didn't have 90 dollars of fun. Maybe it's better as a breakfast place or when it's a regular business week. It felt like forever to get food, half the food reasons we went were gone, and... well, eh. I don't know if we're going back to try it again. I was underwhelmed.
(2)Lynda L.
We were really looking forward to trying zolas based on the reviews. We made a reservation and our table wasn't ready with about 5 empty tables. We ordered a bread basket before hand for the kids which came with no bread plates. We asked for them and never received them. No refills on coffee. I ordered the crab cake Benedict and it was stone cold. The food had a potential of being good if service wasn't so slow. Very disappointing. I would definitely pick another spot.
(1)Lissett P.
Great food the flat iron stake salad was very well seasoned and cooked. The smoked bacon and Michigan cherries did it for me. The bread also was awesome. I will go back for lunch or dinner sometime again soon.
(5)Anthoine W.
Food wasn't bad at all we enjoyed a strawberry crepe and a nice omelette after my dentist appointment. The food was decent and nice a portion for the price, but the drinks were pretty high in my opinion. 8$ for fresh squeezed orange juice, but hey I love fresh OJ! But overall pretty good, only wish our sever would have been more attentive, she just drop off the food and came to pick up plates.
(3)Katherine S.
Everything I've had here is amazing. It's a bit in the pricey side so not somewhere we go weekly, but definitely head out here to treat ourselves! Zola's Crab Cake Benedict is my absolute favorite.
(5)Brock H.
Had brunch here while passing through Ann Arbor. Everything was excellent. We had open-faced omelettes -- one with sweet potatoes and caramelized onions, topped with challah croutons, avocado and goat cheese; the other with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, green beans, potatoes, and red onions topped with Vermont cheddar cheese and avocado. The eggs were perfectly cooked and the toppings applied in perfect proportions - something I can't say for many of the open-faced omelettes (or frittatas) I've had at other establishments.
(5)Mike S.
The food was excellent. The side of syrup I ordered was $3.50... I mean, common - that is highway robbery. 1 star for prices. 5 stars for food.
(3)D B.
I've come in for brunch a couple of times, and everything is so yummy. If there is one irksome aspect to the brunch, it's the extra charge for maple syrup. It's like a checked baggage fee. It makes you chose between a less pleasant experience or an overly high charge.
(4)Sarah F.
Quick Tip: Go and get the waffle! Good casual place for breakfast. Service was slow, but it was also a Sunday, so a bit understandable. One of us got the classic waffle and the other the Farmhouse omelet. Both were good. The eggs on the outside of the omelet were a bit overcooked. The waffle was amazing. It is light, fluffy, and sweet! Added bonus: they serve french press pots of coffee Pro: good food, french press coffee Cons: slow service
(4)Emily W.
One of the few places to serve reliably good, interesting food in Ann Arbor. Always a good pick.
(4)Linda L.
a good place for brunch and lunch. locates in downtown Ann Arbor. Sometimes you need to wait for seats. The dishes are good, but in fact, as I am not so familiar with those cookings, so it is hard for me to tell whether it is real good or not. I just know the vegetables in salad are fresh , better than those apple bee-ones. the omelette tastes not too salty nor too mild nor strange . So I believe it is a good omelette. The potato along with omelette has skin on. I am a little upset of the potato skin. but maybe it is the right way to cook potatoes. I haven't tried many courses on menu. So far as I know, it is good.
(4)Emily L.
Awesome awesome awesome! I loved this cozy brunch spot for a mid week brunch setting. The coffee was delicious and the waitress was knowledgeable about the assortment of teas. I had the Turkish eggs with a blueberry muffin (fresh from zingermans!) and both were incredible.
(5)Todd R.
This place is really good and it had good service. It wasn't really kid friendly though.
(5)Lauren T.
I lived in Ann Arbor for a few years and Zola was always one of my favorite places to go for brunch on the weekend. Two years ago I moved to Detroit and don't get back to AA all that often, so I was thrilled when I found myself there, yesterday, and decided to go there for a late breakfast. Oh, wow, Zola, things have gone downhill ... My husband ordered the Florentine crepe and I ordered the Americana breakfast with breakfast sausage. While my eggs and potatoes were fine, the sausage was way too well-done and hard (and it may have been my imagination, but it also seemed like the portion size had decreased since my last visit a couple of years ago). I was actually somewhat surprised that they had served it to me. My husband, who is normally not picky in the least, didn't even finish his crepe. We were expecting a creamy, cheesy, spinach crepe. Instead, it was boiled spinach with a slight drizzle of creme fraiche. The spinach had zero seasoning and was bland beyond belief. Taking solace in the fact that at least there was bread and butter and coffee, I slathered some herb butter on the crusty bread. Even the butter was bad -- bland, unsalted, and seemed slightly rancid. i always raved about Zola whenever given the chance. Sadly, those days are over. Afterwards, we salvaged the day by going across the street to Frita Batidos for a passion fruit batido and a walk around the Arb to help us forget about the bland, boring, overcooked meal we had just experienced.
(2)Jenne E.
Good food. Smaller portions, salmon and crab cakes are excellent. The apple pie dessert is delicious
(4)Elçin H.
I came here with my mom for Mother's Day. We sat outside. An overall, great place. Friendly, casual atmosphere and great food!
(5)Rachel A.
I've been coming here for 12 years now and it's still one of my favorite downtown Ann Arbor spots. I can say with certainty that I've never had a bad meal here, and I've had many dinners and brunches over the years. I've always had good, attentive service and the servers always are well versed on the menu. My personal favorite for dinner - the Chimichurri Tango, which I has recently been renamed, simply, "flat iron steak". Different name, same delicious meal. For brunch, I always end up getting one of the omelettes, although Zola is well known for crepes. I can't pass up a good omelette!
(5)Nicole W.
I never leave a work trip underfed. Malnourished is never going to happen to this girl. Yelp Community Managers are *the absolute best* food guides in their city and Annette J certainly did not disappoint! Cafe Zola is a beautiful and delicious stop in Ann Arbor. Filled with friendly staff, plenty of light, and cozy surroundings, it's a lovely spot for a cup o' joe or a full on brunch experience. The menu is stuffed with sweet and savory options, offering something for just about any craving. After much deliberation between the savory or sweet, I went with the strawberry banana crepe to accompany my cool and tasty decaf iced Americano. The crepe offered a beautiful texture and tons of fresh fruit. And while the crepe was indeed tasty, my side order of Edward's sausage knocked my socks off. I don't know how Edward makes that sausage so flavorful and nitrate free, but man he does it. Normally I'm not crazy about breakfast sausage, but this one is bursting with flavor that it's a must to offering a yang to the sweet crepe. When I find myself in Ann Arbor again, I'll definitely make time to visit Cafe Zola!
(4)Mary J.
Always, always, always an exceptional experience! Went for my birthday in September with family -- the branzino en papillote was buttery soft and well seasoned! Champagne was lovely! Service always attentive but handled without impacting table conversation. Party was at the table in the window - fun, memorable evening!
(4)Michelle P.
Space: Nice, dark lighting.. probably a nice place for a date Service: quick and pleasant despite our huge party of 15+ people Food: Appetizers were pretty good-- my favorite was probable the fig and cheese..Had the steak form my main course and it was delicious and perfectly cooked. The Chimichurri Sauce was delicious and a perfect pairing
(4)Kayla F.
This is a nice place. There are great restaurants, there are horrible restaurants, there are those hot or cold niche restaurants. This isn't any of those. This is just a plain and simple *good* restaurant. You're bound to find something you'll love here, something you'll like, something you'll come back for. I've had their burgers, entrees, breakfast meals, drinks, and desserts and it's all been tasty. Some of it is on the pricey end, but for the most part, taking into account the quality and atmosphere, it's really on point. This is the kind of place I'll come back to again and again and never get bored with. It's great for sexy late night dates, for early morning feasts, for in between teas. And it's right off of Main Street, so it's in the right place.
(4)Robin L.
So, for the sake of full transparency, I'll admit that I'm a regular! And I love Cafe Zola's! Here's why: This place is awesome! Wonderful ambiance, delicious food and top-notch service. Yes, it's expensive for sure, but if you're looking for an amazing experience, you just can't beat this place. It's my go to place for brunch, business lunches and dinners and even coffee meetings. They serve fantastic coffee and espresso drinks. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place!
(5)Alexandra K.
This café is DELICIOUS! Their menu is HUGE so it is very hard to choose which gourmet item to go with. So bring lots of friends to share the meals. You really can't go wrong. The place is usually filled to the brim (at least for breakfast/brunch) so be ready to wait. -Turkish Eggs (2 eggs, oven-baked sunny-side up with sautéed organic spinach and a slice of French feta cheese. Served with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and Mediterranean olives): It really is a beautiful sight. It's a bit like a frittata (slightly) and it's quite good. My only gripe is that the spinach was a little overcooked--so it was too mushy for my taste (which can be a bit much especially considering how much spinach there is in this dish). The feta--so very fresh and creamy. -Turkish Tuna Salad (with fresh vegetables, dill and lemon on challah): it's definitely more spicy than your average tuna salad. I mean just look at all of the stuff in there. The dill and lemon are quite strong (which to me tasted great) but I don't know how much Dad enjoyed the bursts of flavor. The challah is nicely toasted and is quite flaky. The terra chips are nicely baked. Yum. -Little J's PB (ice cream, bananas, Callebaut chocolate, peanut butter and milk): oh gosh I just can't even talk about it without having my mouth water. Perfectly peanut buttery (not overwhelmed by the banana)--but PRICEY. -Latte: They do a good job. It's nice and creamy. FINAL VERDICT: This is always a great café to explore. I'm glad I tried the Turkish Eggs but I wouldn't say they are a must. On the pricier side, but hey, if you want quality...
(5)Daysy T.
We were visiting Ann Arbor from Seattle over the weekend, a friend recommended them for brunch. We were so I pressed with the food the first day, we decided to return the second day! I'm normally not a dessert person but the crepes and waffles were delicious! They are light with just the right amount of sweetness. Mostly we were impressed by the service, both days were very busy and the staff handled everything professionally and promptly. There was a storm one of the days we were visiting and the next day was really sunny and we really wanted to sit outside, we were willing to wait but instead they brought out a table for us to sit at!!! Amazing. Great food, great service... I highly recommend this place! Try the waffles ;)
(5)Debbie C.
This is one of my favorite Restuarant's in Ann Arbor. They have the best tasting variety of foods. The staff is the utmost courteous the owners have a Knick for choosing the proper wait staff to serve their customers. I like to frequent business's where the owners are visible and attentive to their guests. The atmosphere is outstanding and the food is incredible. If you are visiting Ann Arbor or live in Ann Arbor go check it out. Cafe Zolas is an icon that should not be missed. My personal favorite for breakfast is The Heidey's Breakfast. Enjoy!
(5)Melanie C.
Came here for brunch. This place is hella busy on the weekends during brunch time..must be the turkish eggs and the french press coffee. I ordered the salmon burger. It came with pommes frites, housemade ketchup, spicy mayonnaise, and citrus chutney. I would have to say, this is one of the better salmon burgers I have ever eaten. The salmon was sauteed to perfection. It was very juicy and paired well with the toppings that came along with the burger: pretzel bun, red chile honey glaze, lettuce, tomato, and even the sweet pickled ginger! It was a bit messy eating it since all the juices kept dripping everywhere (my type of burger :P). The pommes frites was also delicious..crunchy and thin like shoestring fries (my favorite type of fries). The Southwestern Omelette was also good. Never knew how well poblano chiles and creme fraiche tasted in an omelette. The only down side to this omelette was that the ingredients weren't spread out throughout the omelette. Half of it was all sour cream with the roasted peppers and a bit of chorizo, while the other half was chorizo, and pico de gallo. They should try to spread out the sour cream and chorizo more evenly, that way customers can get the best of both worlds. Other than that, I would come back again for brunch. There's so many other dishes I would like to try!
(4)Mary W.
We went last year and although the food is very good, love their waffles, teas and big cup cappuccinos, the service wasn't so great. It wasn't even a busy morning but the server was too busy with customers she seems to recognize and didn't even bother to check on our table.
(2)Christopher F.
Came here for dinner during Ann Arbor's restaurant week. For starter we ordered the fig with goat cheese and the blue crab cakes, both were outstanding. The crab cake is nicely seasoned and the remolaude was terrific. For salad we ordered the insalata caprese and an arugula salad with pears and walnuts. Bot were amazing, the buffalo mozzarella was like butter, the tomatoes were wonderful. The arugula salad was just as wonderful love the grilled pear and sweet walnuts. For entree we ordered the chimichuri steak and lamb chops, both were absolutely fantastic. The steak was a little spicy and the chimichuri was wonderful. The service was great, this place is pricey, but they deliver.
(5)Amanda P.
Eh - I went for a meeting with colleagues before work on a muggy, warm morning. They hadn't turned the air conditioning on, and it was hotter inside than outside. I know it's Michigan and not everyone does AC here, but when you run an establishment with industrial grade ovens/stoves in the back of it, let's run the AC in June? Okay, I'm sweating - time to order coffee. The coffee was pretty good - I thought it was cool that they allow you to order it the trendy way by region instead of being boring about it. I wanted something savory and not sweet for breakfast, so I went with the Salmon Hash, which sounded odd to me in theory but I thought I would be adventurous since I love salmon and hash. What could go wrong? When they served it, I stared at it for a moment because it wasn't really a hash - it was more like a salmon latke or a salmon patty like my mom used to make. But when I had a bite, it had no flavor and honestly tasted a bit burnt. It was almost as if they had sliced everything tiny, but had still cooked the potatoes longer so they were kind of burnt, the onions bitter, and the salmon was indistinguishable. The "horseradish cream sauce" on top tasted like foamed parsley puree. Just bland bland bland. It was gross. The eggs on top were cold, and I didn't even salt it - I just sat there grumpy and shiny determined to enjoy the coffee and conversation. Brunch doesn't seem too bad here, so I would maybe try it again if anyone wanted to go there. There are at least 5 other places I would go first for breakfast in AA.
(2)James R.
Ok. There are 2 negatives about this place. 1. The wait. The restaurant is decently sized, but it has almost NO waiting area for people waiting to be seated. So you've got to huddle just inside the door and be in the way of everyone coming in or out, or wait outside, and hope that the person doing the seating bothers to check outside. 2. Not cheap. Seriously not cheap. I think breakfast for my wife and I was north of $50, mostly boosted by a mimosa for her, and a mocha for me. Both of which were fantastic. Everything else? Positively wonderful. The crepe I had was amazing, with ham, and cheese and egg, in just the best possible ratios. Paper thin ham is something I wouldn't have thought I would enjoy. Either way, try to sneak in here on a weekday and enjoy truly gourmet food, just be prepared for a wait, and a bit of sticker shock.
(5)Alyssa R.
What to say about Café Zola, other than it's perfect, and worth every expensive cent/ Located in Ann Arbor right in the downtown area, every time I make the drive I either go here or consider going here. Though this is for brunch nine times out of ten, I've had a couple of outstanding dinners here also (on those nights you think: F%$@ it! I'll pay for perfection!) Here's why. Brunch: My two favorites: Turkish eggs: Two eggs surrounded by organic spinach, a block of feta, and marinated vegetables. And the Artichoke Omelette, which also happens to include green beans, potatoes, roasted red pepper, red onions and cheddar. It says a lot that I don't add anything to either dish as I am a frequent customizer: But these dishes are PERFECT as they are. I can't order anything else, even though they have crepes and homemade bread/ jam baskets and a whole host of other culinary delights. If you know Ann Arbor, then you know that Café Zola is enhanced by serving many options from Zingerman's, the local farm/ restaurant. Ann Arbor is really unique because many restaurants cater to vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and locavores by sharing between businesses. And almost anything with Zingerman's on the menu will have a fresh and local quality that can't be beat. But back to breakfast: You'll get a fresh bread basket, and you need to get their house made ketchup on the side even if you don't like ketchup. Don't worry, it's more of a preserve that tastes of apples and a variety of spices, and I put it on everything from bread, to potatoes, to omelettes. I'd buy a gallon if it would keep! Dinner: The lamb and filet are the two I've tried here, and they are pitch perfect. Think presentation, taste, and quality of ingredients and preparation. If you're going for dinner, you already know you want to splurge, and also that it will be worth it. I've never had a bad meal here, and out of town guests are always impressed no matter where they're from. So it's a safe option when you have a little extra cash and someone to impress. Even when you're on a budget, I've been perfectly happy splitting the omelette with a friend and getting a couple sides (add bacon and potatoes!) It's my 'to go' place in Ann Arbor, and probably on most other people's short list as well.
(5)Gerry B.
What a splendid afternoon in A2, and a nice time to stop in at Zola's. Quick seating, an attentive server (ask for Leah, she listens well and is very helpful). My omelet was well prepared and the Americano coffee was hot and flavorful, despite all of the half and half I added (I basically try to drown the bean, Leah will confirm this). Cannot ask for much more. Thanks for a solid dining experience.
(5)Bonnie Z.
I came here for restaurant week. The starter and salad was good, (mussels and kale salad) but my main dish (lamb) was bland and dry and the portion was tiny. I honestly just expected more.
(3)Kip W.
Don't go here hungry! Why? Because by the time you are seated and served you WILL be hungry and I would hate for you to start gnawing at your fingers. I do love the food! You just can't go here and eat on a budget or be in a hurry. You will easily drop $12-$15 on an omelette. They charge you extra for just about everything. In fact, I'm surprised they don't charge more for special oil to fry your food in. This being said, The Farmhouse Omelette and the Southwestern Omelette are awesome and filling. If you have a sweet tooth, the crepes are great as well. I love the coffee, love the coffee! I've mostly been here for breakfast, but have been there a couple times in the evening for dinner and they have a killer Basil Martini. The food is almost worth the wait, almost.
(4)Nathan E.
I stayed away from this place for years, and I'm sorry that I did because Cafe Zola rocks! I'd say it was during the mid-'90s when I lived a few blocks away and had a heroine-using housemate for one summer who waited tables at Zola when it first opened. My friends and I didn't like the housemate very much, and we called Zola the smack-addict cafe. Well, something close to 20 years have passed, and Zola is so much more than a place for smack addicts to work. I'm really sorry I characterized it so badly back in the day. Anyway, now it's the 21st century, and I come here for brunch whenever I'm in Ann Arbor. I almost always get the Turkish eggs (baked over spinach and feta! Yum!). And I'm sure everything else is great too. I watched the guy at the table next to me today eating a waffle with ice cream and syrup on top. I wouldn't do that, but it was fun to watch! The owner is a lady from Turkey, and I don't remember her name. But she's quite colorful and friendly and often at the host stand. I'd say that she IS the ambience at Zola, and it's fun just to chat with her. The service is always great, although sometimes it can be pretty busy. Dog friendly at the outside tables. Family friendly all around. And I'm so glad that my smack addict housemate doesn't work there anymore. I hope the owner fired her:)
(4)Coll P.
There has got to be a better way to seat people at this place...we tried to go once without a reservation, waited fifteen minutes as we watched people losing their shit that they were getting skipped over and left. We tried again with a reservation and learned that this means NOTHING. We waited and waited and once again got to watch some funny situations of people getting called, walking up to the host and her telling them it would be fifteen more minutes, then seating someone who just walked in. IYYYYYYYYYYY. When we were finally sat I ordered a hot chocolate to warm up and it was more like hot milk albeit with delicious whipped cream. Bummer. They have tons of possibilities for brunch though and everything that we ordered was...good. The crepes seemed to be the biggest hit amongst us.
(3)Andrew Z.
I was part of a reservation for 13 people for a birthday brunch for my sister. We made the reservation 3 week prior. What was meant to be a happy Sunday turned unhappy by our experience at Zola. We were met by the disrespectful owner/host/manager who "didn't care" that we had a reservation and said "lots of other people had special occasions". Also, reservations don't really matter and they seat based on when people sign in??? Wah?? Never got a chance to try the food but will never go there again based on the disrespect and "customer always last" attitude that met my party at the door.
(1)Stacie F.
This place is so great that there is almost always a line out the door. The breakfast plates are unique and super tasty. I got the Asparagus and Goat Cheese Omlette and it was so good but the Turkish Breakfast looked amazing as well. Also, don't forget to order a pot of french pressed coffee and a crepe to share for dessert.
(5)Prima B.
Lemon Tagliarini was excellent. I will definitely eat here again!
(5)S F.
I would almost give Zola five starts, but I haven't had enough dishes to rate them a perfect score. The food I've had has been wonderful. The hamburger (and fries) are one of my top five gourmet burgers ever. The half chicken was cooked perfectly the four times I've ordered it. So far, every dish I've had from this establishment has been right on. Very crowded, but worth the wait, except for the one time they kept us waiting for more than an hour . . . after seating us. If the wait is too long, be sure to check out Zingerman's.
(4)Elizabeth S.
Five stars for the crepes. Minus two stars for the several times I've had incredibly rude or inattentive service. Actually the servers tend to be great- it's usually the hostess who doesn't notice you exist or the management type person who seems to be ushering you out the door after it took 30 minutes to get your check. If you go on a weekend, very late into the brunch time (I think like, 1:30/2?) it tends to be less crowded. Don't even think about going within a block of it on Mother's Day. Dinner is overpriced, and not that impressive for the price, though the wait tends to be less crazy. I really only think the cost is justified for breakfast... the strawberry and banana crepes really do keep me coming back, despite my complaints regarding the service.
(3)Diana K.
I, like many an Ann Arborite, love Cafe Zola. And though there are plenty of reviews to attest to the fact, I feel the need to add the following: skip the brunch and go here for dinner. I know, I know, it's a lot pricier at dinner and brunch is such a novelty (as are crepes, apparently. I mean, they're really not that hard to make and Zola's crepes are just OK. Nothing special). So skip the crowds and the long wait and treat yourself to their goat cheese stuffed salmon for dinner on a bed of mushroom-filled ravioli while basking in the glow of tea lights. You'll thank me. And as an aside, they get bonus points for the way they handle carry out orders. You know, for the days when you feel like poo and don't want to gussy up for a meal out, but you are still craving an amazing meal in? They don't skimp - they'll pack your entree to go with the pre-meal bread and olives and butter. But alas, they get docked one star for how crazy it gets during weekend brunch. They don't let you take your time and on one occasion, my party was shooed away as soon as we finished eating to make way for the throngs of other potential diners waiting for our spot. Not cool.
(4)Andrew M.
Sunday brunch lines are out the door. Plan on waiting a long time to pay upwards of $12 for an omelet. The food is very good, but I subtracted two stars for price and crowds. Once you're in, you're crammed up against the table next to you and the open dining area creates a lot of noise that makes holding a conversation difficult. I'm sure I'll be back at some point, just not for brunch.
(3)Mike R.
If you close your eyes, open them, you'd swear you were somewhere in NYC (Chelsea, Upper West Side, etc.) Bare brick walls, tight spaces, simple white linen, and extremely innovative menu. I was lucky to have the pleasure of eating the Octopus app, wow was that great ! Moving on to the tunar tartar, then to safir app, another winner. Great wine list, with reasonable prices... and an all female wait staff dressed in simple black, some with fake pearls, real eye candy, something out of a Robert Palmer video....... yes, it was truly 'simply irresistible'.
(4)Theresa F.
What a great brunch spot. It's always very busy to plan to wait on the weekends. Their sweet crepes are so good -- I love their Normandie crepe. Sit outside on nice mornings if there's room. They have a good selection of loose leaf teas and a really yummy hot chocolate (so says Steve).
(4)Devon A.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor. While the dinner selections are solid, I prefer visiting Zola for brunch. The crepes and french toast selections are excellent. Good atmosphere and good food.
(4)Betty B.
I just went to brunch here yesterday for the first time. The food itself was top-notch. I had the veg. Omelette Duxelles, and the eggs were noticeably unusually delicious. And the mushroom filling was fabulous, too. A very good 1/2 pot of tea, though I do have to agree with some other reviewers on here--the menu is only slightly overpriced on the whole, but one really doesn't want to pay $5.25 for tea. I'd definitely go back and eat more of this delicious food, but I agree with others on here that there's something of an atmosphere/service type of problem. First, the hostess asked sort of inconfidently if this absolutely ridiculously-placed table was okay for us. Nope.Then someone tried to take my plate when I was still eating, and we generally felt rushed by the staff. (Granted, a huge crowd was waiting. But if I'm going to spend $20 on brunch, and haven't been taking up a space for a crazy-long time or anything--eh, I want to finish my tea and converse for a minute.) The use of space here is kind of crazy. I got up to go to the bathroom before I left, and the tables were so jam-packed that I had to walk along this handicapped-accessible ramp to get through the throng. I'm not sure how the servers were getting food through. Despite the handicapped-accessible ramp going over a small stair (I think), the overcrowding means the place in general doesn't seem very handicapped-accessible, even if they're claiming to be. I also noticed a guy who was blind and being led by his dog seemed to have a pretty hard time getting from his table to the door. Then when we went to actually leave--as others noted, WTF with the no-waiting-area? Everyone was literally packed into the entrance way. Maybe 15 people directly between the doors and the hostess station. & you actually had to sort of push your way through. Has got to be a better system--either give up some space to make a waiting area, or make people stand outside to wait. Certainly the place seems to be doing well despite the problems, but be prepared for a little raucousness. And maybe avoid the weekend rush if you have any sort of mobility issues. Fab food tho, and I bet it's great if you hit it at an off hour.
(3)Erich Z.
There are two things that must be known before eating at Caf Zola. First, it's pricey. It's Ann Arbor, so you knew that, right? I'm just saying, you *will* be paying $8 for those eggs and bakey. Second, it takes a long damn time to eat there. You'll wait for a table. You'll wait, at the table, for your hostess. You'll wait for the server. You'll wait for your food. And then you'll wait for refills, the check, change, and anything else you may need at the moment. Brunch for two takes over an hour on Saturdays usually, if you're wise and thinking about the meter outside. That said, the food is excellent. The crepes are simple and sweet or savory. The heartier fare is simple too, and delicious. I enjoyed the Turkish Eggs, so go outside your comfort zone. Or don't - it will still be good. Go there for a delicious, casual, slow, relaxed brunch and you'll be leaving a happy patron.
(3)Tom A.
'asparagus ommlette' = ONE piece of asparaagus we loved this place in the late 90s. just great for hanging. then it went all bistro-y, started making worse food at higher prices... go figure. it's been a while but I wouldn't ever go back.
(1)Glenn F.
Just had dinner there this past weekend and I have to say that I was very pleased with the food that was provided for this group. The service for this table of 7 people was very good. Food and drinks were all delivered promptly and courteously. The prices were just a bit high for my taste. I remember when Cafe Zola was a humble coffee shop. I have fond memories of modestly priced teas, coffee, and amazing baked goods. I miss those days. I have also been here for Sunday brunch. That was a lovely experience. If you can get past the prices, this place is certainly somewhere you can go for a nice meal.
(4)Eric K.
Cafe Zola has to be my favorite breakfast place in Michigan. The Nutella Banana crepe is wonderful. It's right downtown Ann Arbor too, so you can explore downtown after breakfast. A great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning.
(5)Parisa K.
My favorite thing about this place are the crepes. They are just so good and delicious and hard to come by. I usually just come for a sweet crepe and some tea. I have dined in a few times, sadly never for brunch. Their dinner entrees are a bit too expensive for my budget, but they have excellent appetizers you can split and tasty salads that make a great meal. The location is right in downtown Ann Arbor, and the atmosphere is both fun and relaxing. All around, Cafe Zola is a good time.
(4)Philip P.
Good lord, Chimichurri steak! Wasn't expecting such flavor from a place with mostly reviews on the excellent coffee. This place delivers on dinner!
(4)Phillip L.
My favorite brunch spot in A2, easy. I have fond memories of Sunday brunch with friends over delicious food, giant pieces of toast, and cups of coffee so big you could fit your fist in it. Brunch wait time can be a bit crazy though, so be prepared to come way early or wait in a cramped space. I've also had dinner here before, but it's on the pricier side. I think brunch is still the best value. It's also a trek from UM campus though.
(5)Joe C.
Cafe Zola is one of my go-to brunch locations, especially on Sundays, when you can find free parking downtown. While some of my friends love the crepes, I tend to stick with the omelettes or the waffles. The coffee has always been good, either french press or regular drip. The herb butter with the toast is amazing. While there is often a wait during prime brunch times, the interior is nice and the service reasonable once seated. It's a bit on the expensive side, but nothing terrible. More seating would be nice, but everything is arranged as optimally as possible given everything there. While I wouldn't go there every weekend, I have been known to go several times in quick succession, if only to have both a savory and sweet brunch there. I've only been there once for dinner, which was a while ago. They messed up my order (my chicken was never put in) but they ended us giving us free food and drinks. It wouldn't be a first choice to go to for dinner again, but I wouldn't refuse if that's where people wanted to go.
(4)Christy L.
Came here for a work group dinner tonight. They accommodated us well. The food was delicious! We got bunch of appetizers, most of them are great. Ingot the pan roasted mero with miso for entree. That was one of the best fish dish I've had. The fish is juicy and tender, feels like it melts in your month delicious!! But the portion of the dish seems a little on the small side. I would definitely go back again just for that dish.
(5)Dug S.
Hands-down best, and appropriately, most expensive fancypants brunchy place in town. Zola is the regular morning spot for the politicos, buttoned-up business folks, laid-back tech founders and funders, and other well-heeled types in town. Staples of the Zola experience: great, endless coffee; appallingly huge portions; herbed, crispy potatoes and monster omelettes and waffles; Zingermans bread as "toast" with creamy, whipped herbed butter; attentive, super-accommodating service (anything you want, any way you want it, if they possibly can). Atmosphere here is like a Pixies song - quiet, LOUD, quiet, LOUD - tranquil early-morning and mid-afternoon, but shouting-match volume with a full house. Tables are crammed together in an open floor plan, so don't expect a lot of privacy - this is the kind of place people come to see and be seen, in a glad-handing business context (Sweetwaters across the street has played matchmaker to more of the singles coffee club). Parking is surprisingly easy right in front before 9, and there's the big city surface lot across the street. There are plenty of times I prefer to skate down the block to the Fleetwood for hippie hash, endless donut shop style coffee, and a different kind of community - but this is usually well after midnight, soused, with ears ringing from a show or after the annual Punk Week shopping cart races that start there. Still, Zola's never thrown me out skateboarding in off the street with my backpack, or grabbing an outdoor table with other grimy, sweaty dudes. If you're looking for a nice place to entertain guests, or hide out for a minute and treat yourself to a Zen morning at dawn at one of the two isolated two-tops by the windows, or the corner spot at the bar), well, you'll be fighting me for it.
(5)Ben U.
Absolutely amazing! Go for the omelettes, guaranteed satisfaction every time! Kind of pricy but ensures quality! 10/10
(5)Ann W.
Café Zola is typically packed during brunch hours on week-ends and this one was no exception. While it has an extensive dinner menu, I generally come here for brunch and the Bistro location for dinner. I guess I am a creature of habit. We were debating between this and a neighboring restaurant but felt that it offered more choice. This is one of the places that I introduce to my out-of-town visitors. They tend to appreciate the innovative menu, quality ingredients, congenial ambiance, and character of the building. I like the staff, all of whom seemed to thrive in this chaotic environment. Inside, it was packed as we waited patiently for our tables, crowding next to diners who themselves were trying to relax and enjoy their meal and time with friends. I took the time to spy on others' meals. Should I have the Kobe burger, the Southwestern omelet, or the frittata? The latter is one of my favorites. In the end, I decided to try the Monte Cristo sandwich with a side of fries - it looked delicious. Roasted turkey and Havarti cheese are sandwiched between two thick pieces of soft Challah bread, battered and grilled, like stuffed French toast, and served with raspberry preserves. While I am generally not a fan of raspberries, I did like it with the meal. The serving was huge, with enough left for dinner. The fries, as always, were thin, crispy and terrific. Served with mayo and barbecue sauce, I enjoyed the large portion, also with enough left for dinner. With so many people crammed in the large restaurant, we did have to yell to be heard. This was not unexpected, nor did it dampen our enjoyment of the meal or each other's company. Our server was friendly and anticipated our needs. I was amazed by how he and his co-workers maneuvered effortlessly among the tightly-spaced tables and waiting crowds.
(4)Caitlin B.
Finally- a restaurant in A2 worthy of 5 stars! My fiance is from Ann Arbor and lives very close to here, so we came here for Sunday brunch last weekend. We arrived around 10 AM, so although it was starting to get crowded, we were seated right away. The hostess was pretty curt, but luckily getting seated was our only interaction with her. We sat inside (outside was totally full, and the outdoor seating is pretty much all two-tops). We started with coffees for the ladies and a spicy bloody mary for the man. The coffee was good and the waiter brought us our own creamers without asking, which I really appreciated. Neither of us take sugar, but we do like cream! My fiance enjoyed his bloody mary, and was pleasantly surprised that he could actually taste the heat. My fiance got the American breakfast (he was a bit disappointed to see no classic eggs benedict on the menu. With a shellfish allergy, he can't partake of their crab cake version!) His disappointed ended when they brought his eggs, potatoes and sausage to him, though! The sausage was particularly good, as it was much larger and more flavorful than traditional breakfast sausage. His mom ordered the Shakshuka, and she also enjoyed it. It was a bit on the spicy side, but she ate every last bite! I ordered the Turkish brunch, which was the absolute highlight of the meal. The dish is beautifully composed on a large plate, with two types of cheese, olives, a hard-boiled egg, dolmas, and tomatoes and cucumbers. It comes with an entire basket of delicious, fresh-baked bread, complete with butter and fig jam. The feta cheese was creamy and deliciously briny, and went beautifully with the fig jam. There was an enormous cinnamon roll in the breadbasket, which the fiance devoured as his breakfast dessert. I strongly recommend Cafe Zola, and hope to return the next time we're in town!
(5)Maggi I.
Make no mistake: I go to Zola for the crepes. It's #3 on my list of breakfast places in Ann Arbor. Their breakfast dishes are plentiful and delicious, made with fresh ingredients. They have great tea and smoothies and their breakfast potatoes are not fried. There are too many good things on the menu to list suggestions, but the Frittata Zola is fantastic. On weekend mornings, Zola is loud and crowded. The seating is not very comfortable. I still go on weekends sometimes, but I'm more likely to be found there weekday mornings before work with one savory and one sweet crepe.
(4)Megan K.
This is my favorite brunch / lunch spot in Ann Arbor. Every time I go, I plan to order the Turkish breakfast and then hope that someone else orders the salad trio so that I can share, and then, when I get my wish, I don't want to share and get territorial over all of the delicious cheese and pastries. Yum.
(4)Kristine K.
Dear Cafe Zola, We only just met, but I think I've fallen in love. I'm not sure if it was the herbed butter that you served with the bread accompaniment to my meal (the mixed pieces of wheat and sesame were a nice touch, by the way), or the way that you took the time to grill the asparagus before folding it into the delicious omelette, or the freshly cut fruit that you so kindly substituted for the breakfast potatoes, and surely, your cool atmosphere didn't hurt either...All I know is, you got it, baby! Your admirer, Kristine K.
(5)Amy C.
Fantastic brunch spot. I've been to almost all the brunch spots in Ann Arbor and Cafe Zola is a standout. The restaurant is hip, trendy, with a mellow ambiance. A solid place for large and small groups, but it'd be a good idea to make a reservation in advance since they get pretty busy, especially on the weekends. I've tried several things on their menu-- from their famous crepes to waffles to omelettes to even their Turkish eggs-- and Cafe Zola delivered every time. All the classic brunch items like crepes and waffles come in huge portions, but that doesn't mean Cafe Zola sacrifices on quality. The food is made with superior ingredients and has always been immaculately presented. Additionally, I really appreciate their diverse menu, in which I was pretty surprised to find Turkish eggs listed. As far as I could tell, they tasted authentic, proving that Cafe Zola can do it all, and do it well.
(4)Jeff N.
This place really lives up to it's reputation. The food and service were both excellent and I will return next time I am in Ann Arbor.
(5)Anika P.
Nothing special, way overpriced.....we had a salmon crepe, which was barely any food, the salmon was good but the whole dish was not worth the price....the omelette didn't have anything besides the minimum sausage, the peanut butter smoothie was good, the berry one was eh. Will not return.
(2)Magnus L.
I came here for lunch in the middle of the week, the place was packed. We didn't have to wait long to be seated. We had a big party, most seemed to order their breakfast dishes and were very happy. I ordered the love burger with fries. The burger was really good, juicy with lots of flavor. The burger came with several dips on the side that was really good. The fries very really good as well. Service was great throughout the meal, I will definitely come back here.
(4)Tricia K.
Went here for a belated Valentine's Day plus birthday dinner. Its a pricey place so I would only come here on special occasions but all of the food was very good and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for a nice date or place to get together with friends. Both of us started with a special Blood Orange Salad served that night. I am glad we were both selfish and ordered our own because it was not big enough to split as it was barely side salad sized. He had sea scallops for dinner and I had the sea bass as recommended by other reviewers. Both were cooked to perfection (i.e not over cooked). Now we come to dessert, why is it that so many restaurants in AA have either ice cream with every selection or they are dairy based? Not that I mind much, I love dairy desserts. But BF is dairy intolerant and many times we have to skip the best part of going out to dinner because there isn't anything we can get. However, I talked him into getting the warm chocolate cake and we got the ice cream on the side which I am glad we did because it was delicious.
(4)Sam G.
This place might be three stars if it weren't for the prices and the hype. I've been here about six times for breakfast and brunch. Sometimes even if I wasn't paying I left feeling I had paid too much. Service, even when it's not very busy, is removed and abrupt. Good luck when the place is hopping. I always feel like a cog in a machine (and not the Charlie Chaplin funny kind). The food never wowed me. All of the benedicts (yup. all of 'em. I'm a benny addict) were bland and the textures were all off. The crab cake was fishy and mushy. The eggs didn't bleed perfection. Their omelets and hash are also just so-so. I could get better seasoning and flavor at a diner, honestly. There are basically no vegan options here whatsoever so careful if you want to go that route. You can have a bagel with some mustard and a tomato - and that will run you 6 bucks. There's also something about the clientele that really gets my hair to stand on end (and the rest to fall out from stress). Call me an urban manner stickler but if I'm holding the door for you with one hand, and a stack of to-go boxes in the other, at least thank me? This has happened to me not once but three times. I have also had the door literally slammed in my face and been physically shoved out of the waiting line. All of this on separate occasions. I see good reviews here for the crepes and waffles so if I ever get finagled into going here again, that's what I'm going to try. The savory route has broken my heart. Hopefully the sweet can mend it.
(2)Meeta B.
Ok, so this is soooo dating me, but I'm alright with that. I was a fan of the old cafe Zola's when it was a coffee shop and you could get a ridiculously delicious crepe at night and study there. And then, it changed. The food- it stayed good and I still went but not as often and then it became I came here for a drink with friends and didn't try the food. So fast forward to a few weeks ago when a friend of mine came into town and stated she had never been to Zola's and would like to go. Now, since she was a guest in town I said sure and we went. The omelettes? I had gotten the Nadia's omelette, which has been my standard order there at brunch for years. It never disappoints! Even though I asked for a half order, this was by no means a fluffy delicious omelette. My friend had gotten the asparagus and goat cheese omelette and felt that it didn't have enough of the filling in it. We also got drinks that were good but nothing that surprised us. After paying almost 28 a piece with tax and tip, I think we felt that might be the last time we go to Zola's for awhile. Perhaps I should've just stuck to the banana nutella crepe, which has always made me happy. And, maybe I wouldn't have been disappointed. Ah well. The service was good and our waitress was great, but the food just left me so disappointed and yearning for the Zola's of the early 2000's.
(2)N Y.
We made reservations here for family weekend and had an enjoyable evening. My husband ordered the whole barramundi wrapped and baked in parchment- it was really excellent and everybody had a bite. Also ordered was the flat iron and strip NY and both entrees were cooked perfectly to order, and allowed to swap potatoes for mash. Service was prompt and friendly, prices are reasonable for very good food, and has a nice cafe atmosphere.
(4)Kelly E.
Frittata Zola. Do it. Seriously. A thin egg frittata with sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, challah croutons and goat cheese. It was huge for one person, so I had amazing leftovers. Comes with roasted potatoes. If you ask for no potatoes, they bring you bread with herbed butter. Subbing carbs with an equally delicious carb is always appreciated! It's crazy packed on the weekends. If you're okay sitting at the bar, you'll get placed sooner. They do egg whites in everything, if that interests you. I, personally, love yolks.
(4)Katie C.
It's really unfortunate that I have to give Zola two stars, because they have one of my favorite breakfasts in town. I just love the Turkish Eggs. Unfortunately I have to do my best re-creating them at home for myself because I can't stand the consistently shoddy service there. I've been more than a dozen times (because of those eggs!) before I gave up and said never again. I never had service that was even average, always really, really slow.
(2)Anne P.
My family and I went here for brunch a few weeks ago to celebrate a birthday and we were very disappointed. The restaurant is so noisy that we could not carry on a conversation without shouting. It was actually a relief to leave when the meal was over. I thought the crepe I had was uninspiring. So although we like the decor we won't be going to Zola's again.
(2)Jose S.
Unique menu. A little pricey. Will, our waiter, was charming, funny and attentive. We plan on returning soon.
(4)Aleks S.
After a night spent at the Weber my girlfriend and I decided to have brunch at Cafe Zola. All the reviews and pictures definitely helped us make a decision on visiting this restaurant. First Impression: The atmosphere is energetic, upbeat, decor is modern, lots of exposed brick walls, a variety of light fixtures, cool bar. They are busy here so my assumption is that one would have to wait at times, we only had a 5 minute wait. We skipped the table and decided to sit at the bar, bartenders are very attentive and service is fast, which I like. We started with a couple of Lattes a raspberry flavor shot, and a couple of mimosas. The drinks were very good, totally satisfied with them. My girlfriend ordered the crab cake benedict which was very good, no complaints there. I had the farmers omelet, it had peppers, onions, ham, havarti cheese and redskin potatoes on the side. The omelet and the crab cake benedict were very good portions, actually the omelet was enough for 2, its huge! Taste was great, service was as well so why not 5 stars? Well.... It's a little pricy, I like this place and we will go back when we are in the area, but will be more conscious of what we order. Definitely recommend, go check it out, you will not regret it!
(4)Saloni G.
Phenomenal place for brunch. Wayyy better than Angelo's/Afternoon Delight etc. The food tastes fresh, the concept is different (Turkish?) and the staff is great. Definitely try the bloody marys. Watch out on Sundays- the line can be down the block. One of my favorite places in Ann Arbor!
(5)Amelia H.
For the price, I expected better. I had the eggs crab cake benedict with the rosemary potatoes and coffee, which should probably be some of their best breakfast dishes. My companion had Hediye's breakfast(sp?), an olives-and-tomato egg scramble type deal on a bagel, with the strawberry lemonade. Both were served to us barely lukewarm - clearly had been under the heat lamps for a while. Mine (the benedict) was good, but nothing special. My companion, on the other hand, hated his breakfast - he said he'd had better eggs on bagels at McDonald's. Both were barely warm and definitely lacking in the flavor - just generally really unimpressive, especially when you're shelling out a good $50 total for two breakfasts. The service was decent, despite the restaurant being packed for Saturday afternoon brunch, but the food really left something to be desired. I had pretty high hopes for this place after reading the reviews, but frankly, there are far better places for brunch in Ann Arbor for half the price. Not worth the wait; not worth the money.
(2)Benjamin F.
Best upscale restaurant in Ann Arbor. Hands down. blows other places (with the exception of Pacific Rim and Vinology) out of the water. Get the Crepes for Brunch, the lemon Tagliarini for Dinner, and the sausage sandwhich for lunch, and you'll be very happy. Not terribly pricey either. Great service. Also the Zingerman's bread and Olive infused Butter spread is phenomenal.
(5)Lil'J R.
A Scot and two Indians walk into Cafe Zola .... Straight of the catwalk prances our waitress Crystal. All ponytail and disgust for the entire human race. After some confusion over the request for Cranberry juice, strong tea and coffee with milk, all of which challenging orders I know, we ordered our food. I think my waffle order mananged to penetrate the shadow of a Crystal brain cell but sadly my friends were not so fortunate. Assuming that robots can pick up on keywords, my friend simply re-called the crepe description of the one she wanted: plain crepe, orange hazelnut butter. And so began the naming of the crepes. The choice was orange OR hazelnut butter. Realizing that this could become a never ending struggle over good and evil my friend quickly picked one: orange butter. I breath feeling the end is near. Our order is robotically read back to us... blah blah blah hazelnut butter. At his point, ready to pour melted butter into my own eyes, I interject. "She just wants orange butter." So after all that you'd think the crepe would come with the damn orange butter right?.... sigh. Throughout this rich and joyous dining experience we were met with constant reminders from our waitress that she was resting on a higher plain of existence than the rest of us. TELLING somebody to move the menu so that you can put down the plate is both unnecessary and downright mean. Seeing three people exchanging money does not mean that these three people are thickos and need your help to split the bill. I'm giving Cafe Zola a star for the tasty waffles. Crystal got a $2 tip. Simply for not murdering one of us in the restroom.
(1)Beck E.
Came here for cocktails in a group of 10 at night (had to call ahead to make reservations), and they were quite tasty. I had a bellini and something else... both very good, each $9-10. I was a bit taken aback to see that the spaghetti & meatballs was $26. Whooooooa. I don't care how good it is, I am not paying that much + tax + tip for a plate of pasta.
(4)S L.
The food is usually good, but the waitstaff is touch and go. The last time I went there for a birthday celebration dinner the waitress gave me my filet mignon without utensils or knife. She made her way around the table and I asked her when she was close by if she could please give me a knife when she had a chance. She gave no response. The next time she came around I asked again -no response. So then as she was leaving the table and I said, "Excuse me, miss?" She retorted, "I heard you! You will just have to wait." I told her that I was sorry but I never knew if she could hear me. By the time I had a knife my filet was stone cold.
(1)Sylvonna R.
I cannot believe I have lived in Ann Arbor almost my whole life and had never discovered Cafe Zola. THIS is my new favorite weekend brunch place. I felt like I was back in Washington, DC at some trendy little cafe where all the hipsters hang out after their long nights that turned into early mornings. With a menu that has savory crepes and sweet crepes, salads, sandwiches, omlettes, burgers, waffles, french toast, pastries and basically anything else your heart could desire, there is a place for everyone and their appetite. The atmosphere here is great! Perfect location right downtown Ann Arbor. Though bustling and a bit crowded, it seems like the perfect spot to meet a friend and catch up without fear that you'll be taking up a table for too long or worry that your conversation will get too loud (just my kind of place). The staff is friendly and helpful even when they are busy. Cafe Zola has everything I could ask for in a restaurant; I will definitely be back soon!
(5)Amy B.
Cafe Zola makes me cranky. When I first moved to Ann Arbor in the early aughts, Zola was a chill, laid back cafe that turned into a hot brunch spot on the weekends and a bistro around dinner time. During the day, you could park yourself on one of their funky velvet couches or little cafe tables, hook up the laptop, and pound away on the keyboard while slurping bottomless coffees and inhaling pastries. They changed their business model several years ago to be more like a restaurant and less like a cafe. Basically, there is no more grad student lurking in Zola. This is now a serious upscale eatery, where every patron is seated properly at a table eating food and leaving when they're done. Which would be fine--there are many restaurants that I love that can also be described this way. But Zola is so effing pretentious, and the food just doesn't back up the attitude. Either Zola trains its staff to act snotty, or the owners tend to hire people who are that way by nature. The greeters and servers are almost uniformly unfriendly. Nothing here in my mind is exceptional food. I like the Belgian waffles covered in ice cream and sweet toppings, but it just takes a trip to the grocery store to make something similar at home. The sandwiches are good, but again, easily replicated--and while I know Zingerman's bread is the hallmark of a good restaurant in Ann Arbor, I would appreciate not having a sore jaw after trying to eat my sandwich. Enough with the crusty old bread! I usually order the meatloaf sandwich here for $12. It's ok. Just ok. By comparison, my favorite meatloaf sandwich in Boston in one of the most expensive areas of town is $9 and about 3 times as delicious. I'll use one specific experience here to illustrate. Some friends were getting married, and asked me to organize a brunch for the wedding party (mostly out of towners) at Zola the day of the wedding. I made a reservation but we still had loads of fun with table mishaps and them refusing to seat us when one member of our huge group had trouble getting parking. Yep, 13/14 people in a group is not enough for them to seat you. The food was its usual mediocre self. Then the bill came, and jaws dropped. Over $7 for a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice! We joked that you could buy a bag of oranges AND the labor to squeeze them for less than that price. Let's see, good things to say about Zola. They have a good tea selection. Their coffee is strong and tasty (but overpriced, especially considering that Sweetwaters is about 20 feet away). But really, the only reason I'm giving them the second star is because I remember the way it once was.
(2)Claire H.
The food saved this review! Our service was awful. My husband's coffee did not get delivered to the table until half way through our breakfast. The server blamed the bar for being "distracted", when in reality my husband and I could see her and other servers chatting in the back of the restaurant. I had ordered chocolate milk which ended up tasting like chocolate powder water so I sent it back (even though it also was not delivered until half way through our meal), and got the fresh OJ instead. That turned out to be a much better choice, but we were shocked the server did not waive the $5 juice as the drink did not arrive until my last bite of food. The service was awful, but the food was amazing. Loved the salmon hash - such a unique combo of flavors! My husband had the strawberry banana crepe and it was delicious. The bread and herb butter was also out of this world. We will be probably go back, but will be hoping for a different server!!
(3)Kate P.
My Monte Cristo sandwich was amazing! So fluffy and rich. The coffee is also good, which is important for brunch. Loved it!
(5)Artime M.
Nice brunch spot with a simple menu. I had the asparagus and goats cheese omelette, which was satisfactory. My friend had one of the waffles and it was phenomenal! I'd go back for the waffle. The cappuccino was fantastic too.
(4)Gina D.
Came here for brunch on Saturday, 12/15/12. The place was packed, and the wait was around 15 minutes. The menu is quite extensive, but I was looking for something to quell a sugar craving. I decided that the Nutella Banana Crepe sounded perfect. In the meantime, while I waited for my crepe, I decided to order a French Press made with columbian coffee. I had that before at Sweet Lorraine's and it was very good. Unfortunately, this coffee was just too strong for my liking, so I had to send it back, it was around $ 8.95, and I did not want to pay that much for coffee that I did not like. But the crepe was to die for. Just perfect in every way. Nutella, banana, crème chantilly, toasted almonds, and raspberry sauce (on the side please). They are very generous with the scoops of ice cream also. Husband had a salad with tuna. He had ordered this before for dinner and liked it. We will definitely be back.
(5)Tanya A.
4 stars sounds about right. This quaint little cafe is a wonderful option for brunch. It is located conveniently near a parking lot in the heart of Ann Arbor. With French and American influence, Cafe Zola offers a wide variety on their menu and is vegetarian friendly. My table ordered steamed almond milk, hot chocolate, a Hediye's breakfast, Portabello Panino, creamy tomato soup, and a banana nutella crepe. The almond milk was just as it says, almond milk. It was good. The hot chocolate was not that hot. Fail. It was, however, not too rich and not too sweet, so I appreciated that. The Hediye's breakfast, a Zola favorite, was mehh.. It came on a bagel, I chose the everything bagel, with scrambled eggs and vegetables. The array of vegetables was interesting..I wouldn't prefer to have asparagus with eggs though. Overall, that dish was bland. For an everything bagel, it didn't have everything on it, especially my favorite, garlic. The eggs lacked flavor, so the salt and pepper at the table had to suffice. I also asked for tabasco sauce and ketchup, to spice it up a bit. The panini was good, but in general, I'm not too big of a fan of paninis, so again, it was okay. The chips on the side, however, were fantastic. They were a collection of exotic vegetable chips. I've had them before, and they are always good. The pickle was no good. As for the banana nutella crepe, a la mode...yummy. There was a bit of raspberry sauce on there, which was a nice touch of something sweet and tangy to something so rich. It also complimented the ice cream well. The toasted almonds were a great addition as well...I only wish they put more of it on there. It was a good dessert and filling for three. The waitress was nice but a bit slow, especially for a slower day at the eatery. Altogether, the food was mediocre but the menu was great, and I appreciated the effort. Maybe I came on a bad day because my friends raved about this place before I went. I have given it the benefit of the doubt and reviewed Cafe Zola as a 4. I will most likely come back to Zola when I am in Ann Arbor again.
(4)Lindsey S.
my most FAVORITE place in all of ann arbor !! it is scrumptious , ALWAYS! On a nice sunny day, there is nothing better than to kick it outside of cafe zola on w.washington, this part of the street always has some great people watching. they have comfortable seating indoors and out. its kinda fun to go to zola at different times, bc they re arrange some of the "dining" room furniture. there is a bar stool seating as well! FULL STOCKED BAR - great craft cocktails and sangria. For lunch or brunch - this is your spot !! you can order almost everything under the sun here, but this menu stops at 4PM. I love their crafty omeletes - they bring a new level of high class and deliciousness to their omelettes - not just your typical greasy whites. Even tho the omelette may seem a bit pricey its totally worth it!! *Artichoke Omelette13.95 -- An open-faced oven baked omelette with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, green beans, potatoes, and red onions under its melted topping of savory Vermont cheddar cheese. nothing tops this in my book!! *crepes!! they have sweet and savory and normal crepes, its not every day you get a fabulous crepe, tastes straight out of france. * kobe burger and fries - juicy burger that is tender and delicious. the fries are sprinkled with rosemary ( maybe), something real good and salt. they've got this burger down!! comes with homemade sauces. ***** Flat iron steak sandwich **** o man !! this dish !! it fills a hole in ur heart like no other dish, its the most perfectly tender pieces of steak, that is worth way more than the $13 for the dish - it comes with the most mouth watering camerlized onions, and onion roll, which i got toasted. this dish also comes with pomme frites !! skinyy lil fries with parmasean on top sprinkled. all in all they have this mouth watering sweet potatoe squash soup, that i count down the days until they serve it each fall !! no joke. the "bowl" size is ginormous , you really dont have to order anything else if you get this. the "cup" size is served in a tea cup - a bigger one. the other best part is THEY SERVE ZINGERMANS bread !! with olives and a homemade butter. white semolina is the bomb bread, eat it up and enjoy!!
(5)Tony L.
Not a bad place for a more upscale breakfast/brunch. Their open-faced omelettes are a nice change of pace from the typical kind. I have heard it gets very busy during peak hours, but it is nice and quiet early in the morning just after opening (7am). In the end, however, it's a bit tough to justify $20+ (with tax and tip) for an omelette and some coffee.
(3)S H.
Better break the piggy bank for this one! A bowl of oatmeal is nearly $9.00 and if you want soy milk with that, add 90 cents. For four of us the bill came to $100 with tip. This was for breakfast--no alcohol and only one fancy coffee drink!!! I will say the portions are huge--too big really. The server should have told us how much food there was going to be. After you eat, just head straight to University Hospital for an angioplasty--no healthy eating at this place.
(2)S S.
Cafe Zola was excellent. We had the lobster salad, Hawaiian Tuna and the Sea Bass. All of them were remarkable and the service was fantastic too. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in Ann Arbor. Love this place!
(5)Dawn N.
Wow! What a little gem of a place. We drove out on Parents Weekend unknowingly and arrived without reservations. Before we were turned away the lovely staff made arrangements (with a time limit) so that we could enjoy a fantastic dinner with good friends. I had the sea bass on special with cous cous and honey covered carrots. My husband had a steak dish. Both unique, delicious, and equally good. The owner came by to greet our friends (who are regulars of sorts) and we had just a most enjoyable evening. What I liked about Cafe Zola is the mix of sophistication and casualness. Anyone could walk in and feel comfortable, because honestly...its about the food.
(4)M. S.
I should start by saying that I love the food & ambiance at Zola and often choose to go there for special occasions, but on my latest trip there on Sunday, I was a little disappointed with our experience. It seems like Zola's become a victim of its own success in some ways. I was seated at a table where I kept getting jostled by people going by; it seems like they should take out one table to avoid packing people in like sardines. The service was very nice, but toward the end of our time there, we started getting the hustle to give up the table (and we had only been there for an hour and fifteen minutes). Three different people, none of whom was our server, asked us if we needed a box for our food within the course of two minutes, and one woman brusquely cleared the water glasses off the table as we were about to leave but still seated. Meanwhile, they were so busy that requests for things like a knife, etc, went unheeded. I know Zola is busy on weekends and they wanted the table for the next set of customers, but it still left kind of a bad taste in my mouth. I don't go out for brunch often, but when I do, I like to be relaxed and not hurried out. Furthermore, I'm sensitive to the fact that we shouldn't take up tables all day. However, I think this was a case where they were so focused on getting the next round of customers seated that they were rude to ones who were already there. It's too bad, and I hope that they address this issue with their staff, as I really do love to come to this restaurant.
(4)Joan G.
Too much people, so u should not expect too much attention. Great snowball waffles with the best ice cream as topping. And the coffee mocha was fabulous! However, I did not enjoy the smoked salmon omelette.
(4)Andrew C.
Ambiance and service are good. (4 stars) Prices and food are not (2 stars). Came here from out of town on a wedding. Yelped breakfast, and this place came out. These prices are outrageous for such mediocre food. Nothing special don't bother.
(3)Joe H.
Review #100! My brother goes to U of M. Sometimes he needs a ride home and make the 60 minute drive to pick him up. Usually we go in the evening, make a dinner trip to Zingerman's Roadhouse or Jolly Pumpkin, but I now have a reason to pick him up in the morning. Thanks to the mostly positive reviews, I made sure we were visiting Zola. A Turkish breakfast spot? How could I say no. On top of that, my dad was with us and he likes to try multiple items at new places. The menu is extensive. Lots of goodies to try... First of all, French press coffee. Wow. The Ethiopian variety served that morning was incredibly rich and a had faint cinnamon flavor. So good. I ordered the Turkish eggs. Baked sunny side up eggs, French feta, and sauteed spinach served with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. On the side, I had chorizo. Many layers of flavor. Perfectly cooked eggs with creamy yolk, briny/tangy feta, earthy/sweet spinach, and super fresh cukes & tomatoes. All elements accentuate each other. Salty & spicy chorizo was an excellent compliment to the fresh, rich eggs. Other dishes sampled: excellent thick cut bacon incredible breakfast sausage (as an aside, I was incredibly disappointed that they were out of the locally made Polish sausage - oh well, a reason to return) spiced fruit & strawberry-banana waffles - the waffles have amazing texture and the toppings are fresh and amazingly flavorful Frittata Zola: an interesting mix of sweet, tangy, savory, and texturally complex French toast: even a simple dish like French toast is elevated here. Using Zingerman's bread helps, but the spicing is perfect with subtle sweetness. We waited nearly 30 minutes for a table at 10:00. When we left, it appeared that the wait time had increased considerably, but the wait is most definitely worth it. I would recommend everything we tried, but if I had to order one dish again it would be the Turkish eggs. Quite simply one of the best breakfasts around - period.
(5)Rick B.
Café Zola - 4 Stars: 7/12/12. A noisy yet welcoming little café just a hop skip and a jump from the University of Michigan campus. Walking distance. Nice selection of food...we showed up around brunch and had breakfast. Loved the waffle and the coffee. Our waiter was in training, so we had super service. Based on our first visit, we will return.
(4)Darin E.
Get there early for Sunday brunch. At 9:30: you sit right down. At 10:30: you wait for 30-45 minutes. The press pot of coffee was fantastic - We got the house Sumatran, but a lot of other choices were available (Ethiopian, Mexican, and on and on). I am not a sweets-for-breakfast sort of guy, but I am tempted to return soon for crepes or waffles. The menu looked fantastic. This time, I got the Turkish Eggs and they were done perfectly -- the menu says baked sunny side up, but think poached medium (without being watery at all). Served with the best tomato and cucumber I have had in a restaurant in ages - they actually tasted like they were from an heirloom garden. The bed of spinach, feta cheese, and olives balanced the sweetness of the tomato and cucumber. The thick crunchy sesame seed toast with herbed butter rounded things out. Just real good. Real real good. $40 for two breakfasts (including tip) makes this a once a year treat for this diner, but worth it every time.
(5)Derek R.
We were here for a Sunday brunch and ended up waiting for almost double their estimated time due to several large parties that showed up around the same time we did. I felt kind of bad for some of the large parties as the owner/manager (?) was remarkably rude to customers waiting for tables. One gentleman in the waiting area had a bloody mary spilled on his camel colored jacket by a member of the waitstaff, which happens sometimes in a busy restaurant, but the woman in charge seemed put off by the fact that he was upset about it. She just handled it really poorly. So, while the personality of the restaurant left a lot to be desired, the food was decent. Nothing special and not terribly different from food that can be had elsewhere in Ann Arbor for vastly less money. We had a party of three, one of whom is five years old, and the bill came to about $65 (with no alcohol and before the tip!) which is highway robbery when you take into account the lousy environment, middling food, and exceedingly long wait. Needless to say I will not be going back. I've been here twice and both times were ruined by my experiences with the same manager/owner woman. She takes her customers for granted and treats them like an inconvenience. I cannot repeat it enough; avoid this place at all costs.
(1)Badrul F.
I like the ambiance. I don't really believe the price is justified, though. Food has been great every time, though.
(4)Marla S.
Great service!! Went here for my birthday dinner a couple of nights ago. Not only was the waitstaff very attentive but the food was amazing!! I had the sea bass but everyone else I was with had great meals as well (salmon burger, pasta, steack). Also, they gave me a free birthday dessert (banana nutella crepe) which was AMAZING!!
(5)Ian S.
Have not been here for breakfast or brunch, but we ate dinner here on a Saturday night. It was a lively, hip atmosphere. The service was a little slow at first as the restaurant very crowded, but still on point. The appetizer (Lamb Kofta) was quite delicious and had an even more delicious mint yogurt sauced. After the Lamb was gone, my wife and I scraped up every last morsel of the sauce with bread provided on the table. The house salad was simple but good, with a light dressing and interesting flavor combinations (fennel, pomegranate, tangy vinaigrette). My wife had the ravioli for her entree, which had a delicious filling of goat cheese and a huge piece of well cooked (medium) salmon. The only complaint here was that a few of raviolis were a tad underdone, but she still finished what she could of the huge portion. My Hawaiian Sea Bass was delicately grilled and coated with a sweet Miso glaze - not overly sweet. It was served alond side some nicely sauteed, slightly bitter broccolini which provided a nice contrast in flavor to the sweeter fish. Although simple and plain, the jasmine rice perfectly soaked up the rest of the miso glaze left behind from the fish. For dessert we had a failry standard, but good creme brulee - which was supposed to be cinnamon flavored, but I could not taste over my glass of scotch. Overall, the hip type of place I would expect in Downtown Ann Arbor and didn't disappoint. We will be back to try brunch/breakfast and would eat dinner again for sure.
(4)C Y.
Wonderful for dinner with kids even though no "kids menu". Also they have a NUT-SAFE procedure! They can serve people with severe tree nut and peanut allergies; know the origin of their ingredients and segregate prep for your specific order. Something tasty, special and sophisticated for everyone, simple to highbrow palates!
(5)Chris K.
Delicious. You get what you pay for. Usually seated more quickly than the time they quote you (people walk away; don't go anywhere!), the servers were helpful and polite. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Matt N.
I love this place! The food is a bit on the pricey side but totally worth it!! The waffles are made with yogurt, and the bacon is local and smoked in a special way that gives it so much flavor. I also have gotten the monte Christo and it was amazing and so are their salads! I've never eaten anything here that wasn't top notch! Breakfast, lunch, dinner. It's all good! Lattes and coffee is really good too!
(5)Lucy Y.
Zola seems overrated. I had one guest with me and we were seated near the window, where a couple was absolutely silent, holding each other hands. Woaah, didn't mean to interrupt a weirdly intimate moment! The seating is very cramped. Dinner was terrible for their prices. My pumpkin squash ravioli was listed as a specialty, came out as $19 (with chicken), and was dry and undercooked. How do two cocktails come out for $22.50?? Absolutely absurd. Not to mention my guest's filet mignon was burnt and had a tangy sauce to it. The strawberry mojito, creme brulee, and butternut squash somewhat redeemed the quality of the food, but I would not waste my money on dinner here.
(2)Vance W.
Have yet to be disappointed! I've come to Zola Cafe several times for brunch and had very good meals. The staff has always been friendly and attentive. Service overall has been great! Today I stopped by for lunch for a simple meatball sandwich. To my surprise this sandwich was anything but simple; definitely not ordinary. The flavor combination was amazing. It was much more than I expected! I recommend Zola's to anyone looking for quality food coupled with great service.
(4)John L.
YUMMM!!!! Had the open-faced artichoke omelet. Only thing is I wished it had some meat on it. BUT, its still quite delicious. I need to go back and try the rest of their menu. Great service. good atmosphere.
(5)Sarah C.
So my parents came to visit me in Michigan for the first time! Going to Ann Arbor is a must. I looked through Yelp and found this place. It was highly rated so why the heck not? I am always worried about seating and even around noon we were able to get seats inside. Everyone wants to be outside in the sun. My parents don't want to get skin cancer so we sat inside. It did get pretty busy a bit later. It is always a bit difficult to order for my parents since they rarely eat out and when they do its Chinese food. Smoked Salmon Omelette15.95 Durham's Tracklements smoked salmon, fresh tarragon, scallions and a creamy mustard sauce make this elegant omelette a gourmet favorite. - My mom loves fish and I ordered this for her. It was a disappointment seeing how there was barely any salmon in this. POO. I ordered an open faced omelette with onions and mushrooms. I ate about 1/5 of it and stopped. It tasted like nothing! X_X I did like the potatoes it came with. Without the potatoes it would have been zero stars. Chicken Salad11.95 Chunk chicken, red grapes and vegetables, topped with toasted almonds on challah.- My dad ordered this and surprisingly enough he loved it. He doesn't eat sandwiches like a normal person though. He eats sandwiches and basically everything with utensils. Haha. Like other reviews have mentioned. It did take a while for us to get our food so if you are really hungry maybe order an appetizer. The bathrooms are really nice! 4 stars! I definitely wouldn't come back.
(2)Jordan K.
Great place for breakfast in Ann Arbor. Big menu with many options!
(5)Edwina S.
I mostly end up eating bunch here. Yes, I have a brunch thing... i like to munch on brunch... trying new places, etc etc. Some places are worth coming back to, over and over and over and Zola. The drinks are great, the food is fabulous, the wait sucks arse so bad you could smash a window. Book a table so as to spare the windows, ok? Crepes are ok (speaking actual shell here... Julia Child's recipe will yield a better crepe for you at home IMHO), but the fillings are good. Two thumbs up on the following omlettes I have devoured: Artichoke, Smoked Salmon, Asparagus and Goat Cheese (i grok goat cheese); only one thumb up for the Istanbul (i didn't care for their feta... go with goat cheese... rotflmho) My favorite cocktail remains the Ginger Dragon. Now... to complain... what IDIOT installed the lights near the tables up top?! I have had the window seat a few times... and the heavy glass son-of-a-biscuit whacks me in the head repeatedly (I'm 5'9... average male height... sigh... grrr) DUCK!
(5)Boris S.
Banana Nutella Crepes $13 (5/5 NOMs) Honey I crepe you so much, Great way to start the day with desert crepe. You can never go wrong with nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread! Lets add some , ice cream, banana slices, toasted almonds, crème chantilly and raspberry sauce. Its like an over topped crepe of goodness. Frittata Zola $13 (5/5 NOMs) Open face omelet? That is just weird and wrong and maybe the best omelet ever created! They just might have turned my omelet work face up! Comes with a nice mix of nomnom goodies like sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, challah croutons and tangy goat cheese. Its like eating a very advance egg pancake. So if you are in town for brunch, stop by and order this. Home Fries (4/5 NOMs) Pretty good home fries. Comes great with any order.
(5)Allison B.
Hands down one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. There were about a six things on the menu that I really wanted to have, and while I can't say I just broke down and ordered myself a smorgasbord, I was extremely happy with what I ultimately chose -- the Champignon crepe. It just couldn't have been anymore perfect and delicious. The mushroom sauce was very flavorful and the crepe itself was light yet the meal still left me satisfied. I also splurged on a bloody mary and a side of thick-cut local bacon that was so smokey, crisp, and awesome. My friends were equally pleased with their choices. I am not from Ann Arbor (or Michigan for that matter), but if I lived here I feel like I would be at Cafe Zola all the time. It's clear from the variety on their menu and how wonderful my fairly simple meal was that they know good food. This meal was the highlight of my visit!
(5)Albert T.
This place serves both brunch and dinner. In my experience, it is one of the best brunch spots in all of Ann Arbor. However, while their dinner menu is great, I don't find it to be on the same level as their brunch menu. On top of that, their beverage selection is great whether it is tea or wine you are seeking. During brunch, they serve great mimosas. As for service, I have never had a bad experience here. Each and every time I have been here the servers have been very attentive and adept at providing recommendations.
(4)Susan D.
We go to the downtown Zola about every three months and have for years. The omelets and other egg dishes are consistently good, with lots of fresh ingredients and yummy home fries on the side and good bread as well. Because we enjoy the food we tend to forget how desperately S-L-O-O-O-W the kitchen is. The servers themselves are great: personable, professional, etc. It is a kitchen issue - maybe not enough space or cooks or I don't know. Don't show up at noon on Sunday and expect to be served soon after your order has been taken. It can be a half hour to 45 min for an order of eggs to appear. But the food is good and plentiful once it arrives and That's why we keep going back.
(3)Jenny Z.
Went here for brunch one Saturday. I hear it's normally very busy, but on that particular day we didn't have to wait at all! Food is a little pricey, but it all tastes great. If you're extra hungry, I recommend sharing a pastries & preserves basket with the whole table--so good!
(4)Victoria B.
I was here over the wkd. I had Hediye's breakfast (Hediye's the owner with magenta hair and sometimes her lipstick matches her hair I've heard) anyways it's was delicious and it didn't have any other proteins beyond eggs and veggies. I'm not an olive lover but the olives were really good to my surprise :). My boyfriend had the classic three meat and eggs and he said it was really good. Needless to say we left full and happy. Our service there was excellent.
(4)Jay R.
Their sausage is smoked and delicious! Expensive but big worthwhile portions make the trip here absolutely necessary. This is the perfect place to experience Ann Arbor if you are a visitor. I came here as a kid and loved it, I came here with a cousin many years later and still love it! The bread is big but tastes so good! 5 stars for sure here.
(5)Emily G.
4 years as a UM student and not once did I ever go to Zola. As my bestie and I sat in the patio and browsed the menu, we thought to ourselves "this is the kind of place your parents would take you out for brunch when they came to town, or celebrated a nice occasion".. "wait, this is the place you go when you can afford a $14 breakfast. Clearly not me in undergrad". Being able to afford a $14 breakfast (several years later) I obviously felt like a friggin' BOSS. So we sat outside, and ordered.. WHATEVER WE WANTED. Between the 2 of us we shared the Istanbul scramble and the spicy fruit waffle dish, which ended up being almost too much food for 2 overzealous girls. The Istambul Scramble was filled with ratatouille (a french veggie casserole with tomato, eggplant, zucchini and squash) and served with some rosemary potatoes. The eggs were fluffy, the stuffing was actually pretty mild in flavor but cooked at the right temperature (not hard but not turned to mush either). The rosemary potatoes were the absolute best, drowning with potent garlic and olive oil, and topped with some added organic hot sauce that was out of this world. Our spicy fruit waffle basically had an apple compote on top with some walnuts and cranberries. The waffle itself was cake-like, not your traditional style of waffle but still moist and tasty. The fruit on top had been mixed with honey, but it was so little that we needed more liquid to be able to chow down on the dense dish. Since our server was not outside (and didn't come out for a while), we asked another nearby server for some syrup to put on the waffle. He was incredibly sassy... and not in a good way. He told us that the waffle already had honey and we'd have to pay extra for syrup, and basically pointed his finger at us like we were two 5 year-olds getting punished. When our server came out, she got us a bit of extra honey for the waffle, which was free. Had it not been for the sassy waiter, our experience would have been 5 stars. The scramble was definitely a home-run, but the waffle dish definitely needs more moisture or liquid to balance the dense waffle and fruit combo.
(4)Virginia C.
They have Belgium waffles and crepes... enough said for good Brunch Must do: Champignon Crepe (porcini mushroom sauce is divine). I usually never like savory crepes (I tend to like them sweet), but this was fantastic. Belgium Waffles with Strawberry/Bananas- you must get the Michigan maple syrup- not the fake stuff.. Although this place gets busy on the weekends, I like the casual/family atmosphere- less of a 18 year old college vibe here than the others...--- so I will def. be back again.
(4)John F.
This is a great place for breakfast or lunch. They may take themselves a little too seriously but the food is great and the service is pretty solid. My only complaint would be the price. Something seems odd about paying $100 for a breakfast for 2-3. Other than the ridiculous prices, this is a very good spot and I continue to come back.
(4)Juliana M.
I've heard a lot of people rave about brunch at Cafe Zola, so maybe I went in with high expectations, but I was pretty disappointed with the dining experience. The place is extremely crowded, and the service was impersonal. Our food came out cold, and we had to send it back for them to heat up again in the microwave. The portions were small, and for the price, I expected much better flavors. I think I'll be sticking with Angelo's and Afternoon Delight for brunch instead - much more reasonable prices, better taste, and no cold food.
(2)Maddy S.
First time in Ann Arbor and wanted a nice cappuccino and small breakfast. Saw that the yelp reviews were overall positive and decided to try Cafe Zola out. I was seated right away with a friendly host, greeted by my server within a few minutes and gave my drink order. There were about 4-6 tables seated other than myself. Pros: quiet morning, nice ambiance, friendly host Cons: my menu was disgustingly dirty and sticky and took away from the experience/ turned me off right away, my server was very unenthused, I waited for my cappuccino for 10 minutes- looked around for my server for another 5 minutes and decided to find food and coffee elsewhere. Truly a bummer experience.
(1)Katie M.
Ann Arbor has so many wonderful places to eat, it was hard for me to pick where to have lunch with an extra special date (my 5 year old) last Friday afternoon. She wanted pancakes (and she is always perfectly satisfied with any Coney Island) but mamma wanted something more sophisticated than just an everyday coney. So Café Zola got our business. It was pretty busy in there, but also very warm! The doors were open to allow the servers to pass through to those eating on the patio, but there was really not a lot of air flowing through the place (we were seated in the middle/rear portion of the restaurant). My water was sweating and so was I. My date was extremely hungry and thirsty, so I was a bit annoyed when it took some time (about 5 minutes) for a server to approach our table, although tables around us were getting plenty of attention, despite being seated just after us. My date was wondering if the waitress was a turtle because she was really slow (No joke here, she seriously asked). I was impressed by the menu. How would I ever choose when so many savory brunchy options were available? Do I pick a unique omelet or go for a salad... too many options for an indecisive mind like mine! I opted for their chicken salad sandwich, my date got the regular waffle, but added fresh strawberries. Oh, and of course - chocolate milk (made with ganache, the waitress informed me). The chicken salad was very unique! It is made with very little mayo, which I liked! It does have olive oil in it, and I enjoyed the flavor a lot. It came on Zingerman's Challah bread, also very good, but I think I would have opted for a multigrain in the future. For $12, I was a little disappointed that the serving size wasn't larger. It came with veggie chips and a pickle. This place knows its waffles... like whoa. I am not a big pancake person - like I stated previously I would much rather order a salad or omelet. But I couldn't keep my fork outta this business. This thing was deceivingly delicious! Looks kind of boring upon arrival to the table, but then you take a bite.. and it melts in your mouth! MMMM MMM! The only problem I had with the waffle was the butter that came with it... it was really cold and I could not get it to spread nicely across the waffle (wow, I sound like a butter snob) and my date just loooooves her butter! Overall, I liked the charm of this place. All the tables I saw had beautifully presented food - and everything I had was great too. Yes, it was a bit pricier than a typical brunch date with my gal, but she is worth every penny!!
(4)Vishal S.
Of the multiple times I've tried this place, I have never had a good experience at Zola. That said this place is definitely very popular in AA and like most popular things, it's a downer. You will almost always have to wait to get a table here on weekends. So make a reservation. Food The taste is just meh. Granted it's breakfast food but I expect more for the price I pay. It is kind of like diner food with only slightly better ingredients. Meaning it relies on a truck load of grease and quantity. It leaves kind of a bad taste and I never feel good for hours and on after a Zola brunch. It is definitely overpriced for the quality of their food and service. I paid $60 for 2 people for a regular brunch, no drinks. Service The servers ask you for add-ons when you place an order. They never mention the extra charge and you see $3 entries creep up on your bill once you're done eating. I was asked if the server could 'fill' my diet coke again. Against my better judgement I said yes since the first glass was just filled with ice upto the brim with hardly any coke, and of course I was charged again for it. You are better off choosing another place to eat if you like welcoming and personable service. Sitting Super cramped. My guests and I tripped over twice just trying to get in and get out of our chairs. I don't think it is possible to fit more people in the space they have.
(2)Jennifer R.
Love their brunch! Salad Zola with avocado and tomato added....healthy and delicious. Great drinks, too. Hendricks lemonade was so good this summer!!!!
(5)Chelsea S.
Cafe Zola is one of the cutest and most delicious restaurants in Ann Arbor. I've been to Zola on a few occasions and have tried both their breakfast/brunch menu as well as their dinner menu. As great as their dinners are their breakfasts are what you should come for. The interior is charming and clean and provides an atmosphere that is easy to converse in. Service is exceptional and the menu is plentiful. I really love sitting outside on their outdoor tables in the sunshine for brunch. For food their omelets are unique and excellently prepared. Their waffles are sinful and decadent. Their Turkish eggs breakfast with the thick slabs of feta, tomatoes, cucumber, eggs, and bead for dipping is so fresh, simple, clean and flavorful. Their homefries are some of the best I have had; soft on the inside with great crispy exterior. Seal the deal with the fresh Zingerman baked bread basket, honey butter, and a French press to split and you will be so happy. The only reason I won't give it five stars is for the slightly steep prices (particularly at dinner) but I still love this place.
(4)Terese C.
The food & service for dinner were great. We were there Parents Weekend, so glad we made reservations weeks ago. It was loud but to be expected for Parents Wknd. The gulf shrimp appetizer was quite tasty. Overpriced for 3 shrimp for $12, though. I got the whole fish & my family ordered the flat iron steak. Both were delicious. We did not get dessert. The Moscow Mule drink I ordered was not all that great. I'd go back.
(4)Kate S.
Have had brunch here several times. It's a nice menu that is a nice deviation from some of your standard brunch fare. I enjoy it since there are plenty of healthier choices. Prices are a tad on the high side, which is why I deducted a star.
(4)Kate S.
I've checked out a few breakfast joints since I've moved here and nothing beats Cafe Zola. The atmosphere of the restaurant is warm and inviting. They have nice little touches too like real tulips in vases and coffee cake on cake stands on the bar. I ordered the orange juice to start and it was freshly squeezed and not from a bottle. My mom had a cappuccino, which was also very good. For breakfast, I ordered the strawberry-banana delight, which were the best waffles I have had in a LONG time. They mention in their menu that the waffles have more of a cake-like texture, and the difference is noticeable. I had to eat it all, even when my stomach hurt because it was that good! My mom got the Turkish Brunch, which was presented nicely and according to her, it tasted great. The only complaint I had was that service was a little slow, but it was a very busy morning for them and I didn't really mind it. Honestly, this is my new go-to breakfast joint. I recommending it to all my friends in the future!
(5)Breanna H.
I have heard only wonderful things about this place, but my first experience there did not at all reflect that. First off, we got there and waited over 10 minutes for someone to come and take a drink or food order. During this wait, another couple was seated directly behind us and was served immediately and ahead of us. Once we got to order, if was after 3pm and apparently they no longer serve eggs after 3. We never saw a sign out front, text on the menu, or heard from our server that this was the case. We then had to take more time to choose new menu items that did not include egg. Not all items on the menu specify whether they use egg, so you just get to use your best judgement on this. It's a game of luck! After about 20+ minutes of being in the restaurant we finally got to put in our order and requested to speak with a manager about our service. The manager never came and they ended up bringing me the completely wrong dish. This is one of the few times I didn't send it back because I could not get out of this place quickly enough. I must admit, the wrong food I got was pretty good, but not worth such a poor dining experience.
(2)Shirley C.
This is seriously where I have brunch every 2 or 3 days. Love the waffles, omelette, and most of the Zola's favorite. Will def stick to this place!!
(5)Diana N.
The food was excellent. Outdoor seating very nice. Service is good as always. My sister and sister in law are in town for a visit. Zola's is go to for breakfast and lunch. First time for dinner...it will not be the last. My guests felt the same.
(5)Lauren L.
I still love everything Cafe Zola for bunch/lunch. Cannot recommend it enough! However, I recently tried it for dinner and wasn't as excited. It was pretty empty when we showed up (especially compared to brunch), and I think I understand why. The menu didn't have a strong theme, unlike the brunch menu. It had some salads, some Italian items and some American/Mexican options. Nothing very unique or inventive. I also had bad sticker shock. I've been in Ann Arbor for a while now, and while I'm gradually adjusting for the costs, I still think Zola's dinner menu was especially overpriced. Nothing on the menu really stood out and we had a tough time choosing in the sense that nothing was exciting. I paid over $22 for what amounted to a medium sized chicken salad. It was good tasting, but nothing special. The side bread was good, and they gave us a lot of it. They also offered us a taco appetizer for $6 - a single taco with two shrimp!! We were trying not to laugh - I felt a little bad for out waitress, who seemed embarrassed to have to tell us how small it was. Cocktails start at $10 and even go up from there. I still recommend this place really highly for mornings. Its one of my favorites. But there are much better options close by for dinner.
(4)Ian M.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots in Ann Arbor. I usually alternate between a few things on the menu, but you really could point blindly and end up with something great. On top of the great food I have always had great service from friendly and knowledgable servers. The only complaint I have is the wait sometimes to get a table as so many other want to eat there. Well also they used to have these really cool photographs on the wall but they usually get new art work to sell for the artists. But other than those two very small things this place is great for lunch and I would assume dinner too.
(4)Michael E.
Zola's is a nice place for a tasty lunch or brunch. The cooking is creative, the ingredients are of high quality, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They're not cheap, though. Dinner is another matter. Like many contemporary restaurants, they're very much into unusual combinations, contrasting flavors, stacking food vertically, the sort of thing that strikes me as trying to be clever. That's easy to do. What's difficult is presenting good food simply cooked, and letting the ingredients speak for themselves. The last dinner dish I had was have a grilled chicken- which was not bad- sitting on top of a pile of mashed potatoes, squashed flat, and drenched in butter. Off to the side were four pieces of flavorless, overcooked asparagus, and a pile of similarly flavorless chopped leeks. The chicken completely covered the potatoes, which were squashed into a flat puddle, so I didn't really realize they were there until I started carving into the chicken and it slid across the plate. This dish cost $24, and while that's about par for the low end on Main street these days, it wasn't particularly well executed. The fashionable bare brick walls at Zola's also mean this is a very loud restaurant at dinner time. When I'm spending $100 for dinner for two, I like to be able to carry on a conservations without yelling. The noise level makes for a very stressful environment. I don't think I'll be back again for dinner.
(2)Randy G.
Which do you choose? The restaurant that has a 45 min wait, a crowd loitering amongst the tables on their outside patio or stop in a place that has no wait and you're the only souls? You go with the wait! Your taste buds will thank you happily for waiting. Cafe Zola is a must on the Ann Arbor culinary tour. There is a reason it's packed and you'll wait, because it's good, very good. Lets start with the pretty latte they brought out. Flavors were good, but it's worth noting that the design they drew gave a very nice presentation. The good stuff now! The salmon hash with horseradish creme sauce. How often do you get to eat salmon hash. The hash was prepared very well, rich with the salmon flavor, but not too fishy or overpowering. Cutting into those fried eggs and allowing the yolk to soak up in the hash, creates a perfect mortar, tying the salmon, hash, and eggs all together. It now has a full body flavor. Just when you think the dish is complete, comes the horseradish creme sauce with a little bite to the flavor complimenting the salmon. You want that spicy, horseradish kick to the hash to really make it sing. We couldn't resist and had to try the chocolate and banana crepe as well. Since this was an eating adventure post Big House Big Run 5/10k event, we were craving some more food and carbs. Onto dessert! Many chocolate and banana crepes, served traditionally without ice cream, Zola's comes with it. I would say the bananas were a little mushy and not caramelized enough, but still went well with the chocolate nutella, ice cream, and a thin sweet crepe.
(4)Brad S.
I was searching for a brunch place on Sunday morning in A squared. My first two choices opened later so I went to #3, Cafe Zola. I liked the look and feel of the place inside and the food choices and taste were good, but there is something about waitstaff that just don't seem that happy to be there that is a major turnoff especially when you're paying $15 for two eggs and sausage. I wouldn't mind trying later in the day as maybe they were out too late the prior night, but I can't give it any more than 3 stars right now.
(3)Bianca P.
So I've always liked this place for breakfast. Their food is fresh and their smoothies are yummy, but recently, my parents and I went to Zola's for dinner. Now Zola's feels completely different at dinner time (they even cover the tables in white tablecloths) but the food was as fresh as ever. We started with the eggplant crostini and the roasted chickpeas which were super tasty. Then we had a kale and red apple salad which was really lovely. For our entrees I had a salmon burger which was cooked beautifully, my father has the rainbow trout (special) and it was really rich and flavourful and, honestly, I forgot what my mom ordered, but she enjoyed it.
(4)Dairo I.
Café Zola has solid food, but I would never go there again. They have serious service quality issues, and it starts at the top with the manager / owner. She is apparently infamous in Ann Arbor for treating her staff poorly, and you can tell they are frightened by her. The waitress that served us clearly meant well, but was untrained, extremely slow with service, and was overwhelmed by the volume of customers. When I asked to speak to the manager to give her my feedback, she dismissed my comments and in arrogant way said she didn't need my business and walked away. Getting back to the food, if you're already at Cafe Zola and are wondering what to order, I think the waffles, omellettes, and crepes are all very good. But don't give this owner your money. She's an insult to the restaurant industry.
(1)Karly C.
PROS: Their food is pretty darn good - it's on the top of my favorite brunch restaurant list. Their Belgian waffles with orange butter and maple syrup are tough to beat and they have some great savory crepes including the Florentine crepe. The atmosphere is unique and it's well decorated with some original art pieces and if you get there at a decent time, you don't have to wait too long. CONS: while the atmosphere is updated, when they're busy, the noise of the restaurant is difficult to ignore. I do love that that a local business is flourishing, but it's frustrating when they're busy and it's difficult to hear those with you. The menu is a little on the pricier side but competitive for the downtown Ann Arbor area.
(4)Michael M.
I have been to Zola a dozen times over the years but it seems to have gone down hill fast. Took 20 min to get seated with plenty of tables open. Then it took 15 min before anyone waited on us. We decided to order drinks and food together since we did not know when they would come back. We got our two coffees but my daughters smoothie had to wait. Restaurant service 101... don't bring things out unless everything is ready. Ah wait now I know why... maybe you do not want the coffee to get cold? Too late... coffee cold. Ah will make you a new one.... 15 min later food is gone still no coffee no smoothie, Oh I am so sorry says the waitress... I will comp the drinks and get them to go. 15 min later out come the bill... Where are the drinks? Oh i thought you said take them off the bill. Please just cash me out. Never again. What Crepes it is from now on.
(1)Mukund R.
I was in Ann Arbor to watch Manchester United play Real Madrid, so we were all in very high spirits when we reached there. There was a wait for about 30 minutes but because of the great reviews here we decided to wait. An hour after we got our table and had coffee multiple times, our hostess comes up to us and tells us that she somehow forgot to put our order in. She seemed to apologize but still gave us a check for our coffee so it's good to know that we spent an hour drinking plain coffee and left hungry and angry. Really disappointed and expected better. My advice to people going there is to keep reminding your server that you're waiting for your food.
(1)Ed D.
This place was more show then good tasting Food! Great bar tender. I had the Samon hash and my buddy had Turkish eggs an wedding soup. We tried the blooded Mary it was"good". Maybe next year they'll get it right!
(2)Charles W.
We eat here often. The food is always very good. My wife had the lambchops which are outstanding and I had the salmon which was very good but not really different from other restaurants. Tonight however, the service was very slow. Maybe it was because it was Mother's Day and they were quite busy but the waiter hardly appeared at all.
(3)Shelia D.
Everyone raved about how amazing this place was. I got there and the wait for the food took forever and when we got the food it was nothing to be impressed about. I mean it was okay but for the price you pay not worth it.
(2)Joshua A.
While I've heard mixed reviews about Cafe Zola for lunch, My dinner experience there tonight was one of the worst experiences I've ever had at a restaurant! My girlfriend and I showed up on time for our reservations and were seated promptly. We then proceeded to wait at least 10 minutes before a server brought us water and took our drink orders. The restaurant wasn't very busy, and everyone around us was being served so this was unacceptable. After this, the service was generally okay - not friendly, but also not bad. To start we ordered a half dozen oysters on the half-shell. What we received was embarrassing. Three of the six oysters were about a half inch in diameter, so small that you could barely tell that there was an oyster in the shell. The other three where a little over an inch in diameter, still considerably smaller than one would expect. Even overlooking size, the taste of the oysters was bland. I realize that we are in Michigan, but there has to be a quality threshold at which you simply do not serve or charge this much for oysters. For our main courses I ordered the lamb chops, and my girlfriend ordered the ahi tuna. Three lamb chops came out accompanied by cooked spinach and a few pieces of potato. All of the food on the plate was lacking in both quality and flavor. The spinach was over salted and tasted as if it came out of a can. The potato pieces were exactly that, pieces of potato that were boiled with no flavors or spices. While the lamb was medium rare as ordered, it was just as bland as the potatoes, and it was so tough that I struggled to cut it with the provided knife. I could not have given this food less flavor if I had tried. My girlfriend's ahi tuna was even more upsetting. A few small pieces of tuna (probably about 6oz in total) came out on a bed of sugar peas and cherry tomatoes. There was rice on the side. The first thing that was upsetting about the dish was that the tuna was served with a very large amount of wasabi directly on the top, about half as much wasabi as there was tuna. Because it was on the tuna she had to scrape it off before trying the tuna. I do not know anyone who would enjoy this much wasabi on their tuna. The tuna was seared a little bit on the outside as you would expect a good piece of tuna to be served, however it was exceptionally bland. I have had better tuna from cheap sushi places! Searing the tuna should have added flavor, and it added none. The peas and tomatoes were similarly lacking flavor, and they were under cooked. The only slightly redeeming factor of the whole dish is that the rice was good, however it is very upsetting to pay $30 for tuna and only enjoy the rice. Overall neither my girlfriend or I finished our meals. We left after spending $100 (without drinks) on food that we did not enjoy, and that is extremely disappointing. Do not come to Cafe Zola for dinner. You can get better, significantly cheaper food nearly anywhere else in downtown Ann Arbor.
(1)Smrithi D.
Went to brunch here and loved it! Suprisingly the wait on a sunday afternoon was minimal to none and the waitress was friendly and very helpful. I recommend their fresh carrot juice, its amazing! They crepe I ordered was okay.. nothing to rave about but other breakfast-y brunch items looked delicious! Great place to come with a friend or family, average to slightly expensive pricing but good experience overall!
(4)Mark S.
Came here after a disappointing experience at Bigalora. Much better! This place is awesome!!
(5)Roger G.
Service was prompt and the food was great. I ordered the "small plate" mussels, which came out with about 1.25 lbs of mussels, and the shrimp taco, which was absolutely fabulous. I will most assuredly go back
(5)Kari g.
Salmon hash! Mmmmmm!! Also tried the crab cake breakfast and shakshuka. This place was awesome! Busy... But the wait was not long!
(4)Rafa R.
I love this place. I've been for dinner but I hear it's even better for breakfast and brunch. Service is good, wine selection is nice and food is excellent. The Caprese Salad (mozarella, tomatoes, basil, olive oil) is delicious and is large enough that I've had it split into two servings. I usually opt for their off-menu special entrees and have never been disappointed, especially with the seafood. The last time I was there I had a whole bronzini en papillote (whole fish baked in parchment). It was cooked to perfection, juicy and full of flavor. I'm also a huge fan of the tuna and scallop entrees.
(5)C C.
Zola is an all-around great restaurant for breakfast and lunch. They have a variety of items on their menu. I think the Zola specials are the best. The decor is cute. We had the Turkish Eggs and french toast on challah bread, and both were really good. The espresso drinks were delicious. It's a solid place for breakfast.
(4)Jessica S.
Amazing brunch and service. The coffee is strong and delicious. Their specials are seasonal and were quite unique. I'd recommend this little gem to anyone!
(5)Ken Z.
Had lunch here this past Saturday. First the bad. Wait was longer than we were told. When we checked in again with server, miraculously a table was ready. Once we ordered, waitress left our table, checked in with some other tables, and then came back to make sure she remembered our order correctly before putting it in with the kitchen. Why the delay/second visit? Just write it down the first time and go put it in right away. The good: Salmon Hash with Dill sauce and eggs (I chose scrambled) $14.95 was excellent and came with a bread basket (Zingerman's?). Turkish brunch item ($12.95) was raved about by companion - she always gets it there. Side of fruit was $5.75. Order of pancakes $9. Food great, service okay. Maybe better when it is less busy?
(4)Nancy C.
I have heard a lot of great things about Cafe Zola, and it seems to be THE place to bring your family out to for brunch when they come visit. I'm not sure I agree, unfortunately. The omelettes are good and the portion size is decent, but pricy for what they are. My friend ordered the chilled lobster avocado salad here, which looked great but was pitifully small. Sigh.
(3)Rachael F.
Best. Restaurant. In. Ann Arbor. I do not make these choices lightly, and the icing on the cake is that it's equally as amazing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It took me until the night before graduation (obv a "my parents are in town so they'll get the bill" kinda spot) to make it there for dinner, but it left my pallet wanting more. So that's just what I did when I came back to visit as an alumni last week - got more. Much, much more. Brunch here really cannot be beat. After scrutinizing the menu beforehand, I already knew exactly what I wanted, but it was still a huge internal struggle to resist the temptation of ordering every item they offered. I went with the omelette provencale, mostly because of the caramelized onions (and added spinach...I love my omelets with spinach), and suffice it to say it was heaven on a fork. Despite being completely full halfway through, I couldn't help but lick my plate clean. Thankfully I had the whole day to walk it off and would've been ready to go for round 2!
(5)Scott G.
Went during restaurant week, our 3rd visit in a year. Started with the shrimp taco as part of the fixed three course menu. Was very tasty, though hard to eat (small taco stuffed with shrimp...had to eat 1/2 of it with a fork before I could pick it up). My girlfriend started with the chowder, which came out luke warm. If it were hotter, it would have been more enjoyable. We both had the Fresh Kale salad, which was bland and a bit disappointing. Could have used a dressing with more taste. For the main course, I had the lamb which was very good. She had the short ribs, which, like the chowder, was luke warm and would have been better if it was a served a bit hotter. Guessing this was a result of them making a lot of these courses as part of the fixed menu. Overall, I'd give this meal a 3, but based on our other two visits, don't want to knock the restaurant too much. It's a nice place, has a cozy feel to it, and I like the martini and overall drink menu. Service is always good, though it does get crowded and there was a wait last night by 7:30 (we dined at 6PM and made a reservation, which I'd recommend). On a prior visit, we had breakfast and it was very good.
(4)Nancy K.
K and I have been coming here for a few years for brunch, usually with our dear friends from E. Lansing. It's pricey, especially considering breakfast is usually the cheapest meal to eat out. Here's the thing, though: you get what you pay for and at Zola you are getting the best breakfast in town. I always stick with the Americana but have often tried my companions dishes. If they have it, get a side of asparagus - they cook it perfectly. The bread with rosemary butter is also sublime but don't fill up before your meal comes (better yet, request the bread come with your meal). Before today's visit I haven't written a review because the service was always so horrific I couldn't figure out how to score it. We are talking downright nastiness from the woman usually serving as hostess who we think is the owner down to the kids bussing tables. It made the experience less than stellar. Apparently they got the message, because today, from the second we walked in the door, we were greeted with warmth and friendliness. The girl working as hostess, despite her ridiculously short and tight skirt, was incredibly nice and our waiter, Nick, could not have been more awesome. If you've avoided Zola because of the attitude problem, it's time to try it out - just get there early before the crowds!
(4)Betsy L.
Good food (but not-to-die) for with inflated Ann Arbor rates. Having dined here various times over the past decade, I give the place a 3 because of how they run their business. All their servers are treated poorly. I gather this from observing and from all the many stories I hear from the servers themselves. I figure the restaurant owners get away with it because of their popularity in town.
(3)Emily F.
I order the Fritatta Zola every time! It is that good in my opinion and there is always some to take home, great reheated later that day. Bloody Mary is excellent! This is a favorite brunch spot for my girlfriends and I.
(5)Lindsay C.
Let's Share! sweet and savory please... Waffles and lattes are delish! I love waffles and pancakes but I usually end up really hungry so I have to get something savory too. Waffles have a nice crunch and it's made with greek yogurt. I can't put my finger on what it reminds me of but it's something asian and good. Best latte I've had since I've been in Ann Arbor. All those chain store places Starbucks, Einsteins, etc just can't live up to this. I've been here twice and never really had to wait for a table. I tried the turkish eggs as highly recommended came highly recommended by yelpers and I was... NOT impressed... tastes like it sounds, feta, spinach, eggs... probably great for someone who is vegetarian or wants a healthy breakfast but I'm dining out... I want flavors! I should have got something fancy like eggs benedict My friend ordered the omelette which for $10 you get folded egg?... everything else you have to add apparently so he added some sausage and cheese.... $15 later... it was just decent. I'd come back for their waffles, maybe try their crepes, and a a latte. Hold the french toast (I just don't like FT in general).
(4)Ömer K.
This is a must go restaurant in Ann Arbor !! If you go there during the rush hour, you'd still enjoy it but service will not be as fast. Staff is really friendly and nice. I went there multiple times for dinner and had their lamb chops, OMG... They were really nicely cooked and served. Also try their shrimp tacos, they are great even though a little hard to eat. If you'd like be there during the rush hour, make sure you have a reservation though... sometimes it is really hard to find seats when you walk in without a reservation.
(5)Amaryllia L.
Had Saturday morning brunch here and somehow lucked out and didn't have to wait at all! Everything on the menu sounded super delicious and I was sooo excited when we finally got our food. I got the Salmon Hash with horseradish cream sauce ($15) and my brunch buddy ordered the Turkish eggs ($13.50). We also got a half pot of green tea for $6.50. Although I really wanted to like this place, I thought the food turned out pretty mediocre, especially considering the price tags. The Turkish eggs made me feel like I was eating spinach that comes frozen in a block and the salmon in the Salmon Hash seemed more like canned meat than freshly cooked. If I have another occasion to come back, perhaps I should try waffles and crepes.
(3)Justin L.
meh...this place was ok... I went for Sunday brunch and we got seated quickly at the bar thankfully. I got the Turkish eggs and it was not really what I was expecting. Other plates we ate were only okay as well. I do like the fact that they ask you if you want split checks beforehand. They must get a lot of those requests with college kids around all the time.
(3)Farhaad R.
I always come here with great hopes... And I'm continually disappointed. I can't justify the price considering I've had 3 mediocre brunches... A crepe, a salad and an omelet. The omelet was the best of the bunch, and was cooked perfectly - but probably wasn't worth the wait or the price. It's unfortunate that this place has one of the better interiors amongst brunch venues because that's really the only draw. I'll probably end up eating here again when out-of-towners come to visit... But I won't enjoy the food.
(3)Cindy C.
I was so excited to have brunch here with my friends when I was home for a weekend, and I have always loved dining here. This time, though, even WITH a reservation, we had to wait over 45 minutes to get a table, and we shrank in size since some people had other appointments they had to get to and couldn't stay and wait. We did have a group of 8, which then went down to a 6 from having to wait so long, and it was on a Sunday, so that was understandable that they were finding it hard to get us all a table. They are infamous for their waitstaff turnover rate, so maybe this explains what happened after we were seated. Our server was very obviously frazzled and in a rush to get our drink order, she seemed very impatient the whole time, and after we got our food she never came back to check on us, just to drop our checks without asking if we needed anything else. So after waiting for so long to get a table, then we felt super rushed by her to get out. Maybe I wanted a bloody mary after my brunch but I didn't get to decide, oh well. Some of us ended up going to The Wafel Shop and splitting an amazing wafel topped with berries and whipped cream for dessert after, which was a very nice, quiet, and calm experience with nice service in comparison. Service aside, Zola's food is still great, I had the salmon bagel plate. It is pricey, even for Ann Arbor, but worth it for a nice treat. I just wouldn't go there again unless they were a bit slower and there was no wait, as the experience was less than stellar. Must get: Any of the crepes, that great open face omelet, Hediye's breakfast, salmon plate, Salade Zola with the toasted goat cheese, their fresh squeezed OJ Must go: When they're not packed and no line...
(3)Patrick T.
Expensive, but if you can ignore the prices, the food is pretty good. The omelettes are well made with high-quality ingredients. I'm always a sucker for a smoked salmon omelette, and they do it right. The waffles items are sweet and delicious. The snowball waffle is topped with ice cream and you can't really go wrong there. I'm not a huge fan of the savory crepes, but to each their own. As far as lunch, there's no better way to spend a sunny late afternoon than sitting outside Zola enjoying a $20 hamburger and a mojito. Fortunately for your wallet, it's not sunny and warm all that often in Ann Arbor.
(3)Divi P.
Food - 5 stars Service - 4 stars Person in charge of seating - 0 stars Cafe Zola has always been one of my favorite places for brunch in Ann Arbor and the server and the food have never ceased to be anything short of awesome BUT for the first time we felt a little jerked around by the lady in charge of seating. I am sure it is a stressful tough job, but all your clientele ask is a little honesty. We called in advance and were told 20 minutes but she cldnt put our name on the list till we got there. When we got there we put our name on the list and were told 15-20 minutes which was fine. However it was 45 minutes (and counting) before we finally were told if we would sit outside (with the bees) we would be seated immediately - come to learn there were at least two other groups of 4 who had been there over an hour but cldnt sit outside because of the bees so they were still waiting - once we were seated the food and service were upto par, a little pricey bt you know that going into cafe Zola but I felt obliged to write a review when I learnt how many people had come thinking they were waiting for 20 minutes, only to be waiting well over an hour - we had a flight to catch - had we knows it would be an hour we would have gone elsewhere
(3)Becky P.
Brunch food is good, but I just spent an hour and a half waiting for food. About to walk out.
(2)Robert B.
My absolutely favorite place to eat and to bring out-of-towners for breakfast or brunch. Can't beat the lively atmosphere. You can't find a better breakfast in a2. It's worth the wait on the busiest days.
(5)J R.
Zola. What is going on? We used to love coming through your doors, for the last 14 years -- except for the last visit last week. Food was meh, no love put into it while the waitress clearly was recovering from the night before and forgot everything. Perhaps we got an off moment, but for us it was off-putting as the food definitely required more love for the price being charged. Appears that we will moving on, parting is such sweet sorrow.
(2)Rachel B.
Came here for a bite to eat before a show. It was a Saturday night and they got us in with no wait (awesome). Got the Kobe burger which seemed right for the price ($15). Asked for the burger medium and it came out well done. Didn't have enough time to get a new one so I ate it and although it was overcooked it wasn't horrible. The fries have Parmesan and rosemary on them- nice touch. Homemade ketchup is delicious although it tastes nothing like the ketchup from a Heinz bottle. Friends got the crab cakes- completely over priced. Two 2" crab cakes for $15. I work in a fine dining restaurant and prices don't usually shock me but that was a horrible portion. Server was not very attentive and we watched as every other table in the restaurant got a bread basket with some sort of olive and butter plate (some even before they ordered dinner), and we never received one nor were we asked if we wanted any. Overall, I don't think I would ever return.
(2)Melissah L.
My boyfriend and I had a great Saturday morning brunch here at Cafe Zola. I loved the buzzing atmosphere and the fabulous service. There was a little bit of a wait to be seated, but since there were only two of us it only ended up being about ten minutes. We sat at a cute table outside, and our waiter was really attentive and nice. My boyfriend ordered the kobe brunch burger and I had salmon hash. I was pleasantly surprised when our food came to find that the servings were quite large. My boyfriend loved his burger, and I thought my salmon hash was pretty good. It got a bit boring after my first few bites, but I added some salt and mixed in some egg yolk and that helped things a bit. Definitely could have used a bit more flavor, but overall I was impressed the overall experience and I would definitely come back!
(4)S R.
I honestly don't understand the fuss, Ann Arbor needs more brunch options if this is it's most highly rated one. I find the food mediocre (at best) and the waitstaff stuffy and elitist. And don't get me started on the owner who runs the hostess stand on the weekends, she's a witch!! I heard her go OFF on one of her hosts in front of a full waiting room. She seems like a nasty woman; not someone I want to give my money to. Overrated.
(1)Jojo Q.
I really wish there was a Zola-alternative in Ann Arbor. I lived there for 3 years and this was by far my favorite brunch place. I really like their crepes, the waffles, the omelets, the bacon (yum). Also my favorite "bar" in the strict sense - in the evenings its not too noisy, the stools are ample and it is a comfortable setting to have some drinks with someone and actually be able to converse. They have a cucumber-mint-lime drink that I totally love. The prices are steep, for Ann Arbor and quite frankly for ANYWHERE but there is a supply and demand issue that allows them to get away with it. So be it. I don't mind paying higher prices for high quality food and a nice environment (to a limit, of course). HOWEVER.... the service leaves A LOT to be desired. I recently went for brunch with my fiancé and inlaws and one of us ordered a waffle for which a VERY SMALL (actually kind of TINY) amount of (real) maple syrup was provided. Basically, the amount of syrup provided for the size of the waffle was ABOLUTELY INSUFFICIENT. It barely covered half of the waffle (for which, mind you, the price is over 10 dollars). When we asked the server for more syrup, she indicated there would be an additional charge. We complained that it is not fair to charge extra for a condiment that is 1) routinely served with the dish, and 2) provided in INSUFFICIENT quantity for the size of the dish. I mean, I found this LUDICROUS AND OFFENSIVE. We complained and asked to speak to the manager. It was the manager (and owner, I think, but I could be wrong) who came over, and in a totally unapologetic and frankly defensive manner asked us what was wrong. We explained the above. She indicated that due to the HIGH QUALITY syrup, they cannot just provide unlimited syrup (!). I understand that, but you cannot underserve maple syrup for a waffle, period. And if you want to be stingy with the real maple syrup, then offer another less expensive option so that your patrons can enjoy their $10 + waffle ! This is BASIC. We explained our point of view to the lady, but she was unyielding and it was frankly offensive the way that she treated us. She should learn to be NICE to her customers, as they are the ones that allow her to stay in business. In any case, it is truly sad, that it comes down to this. But on principle, I don't know if I CAN go back to a restaurant that treats its customers this way. All we were requesting was enough syrup for the waffle, and they wanted to charge us EXTRA for what is already an expensive dish (for a waffle). I hope they read this review and learn from this comment.
(1)Guillermo K.
The Turkish eggs made me sad. I thought I'd be getting menemen, but I got this dry egg on some limp-ass spinach. Blech. The fries were a'ight.
(2)Erin H.
Like a lot of people I wish this place were bigger and not always so crowded or I would eat here more often. And also because it's so loud I can't ever take my parents here due to hearing issues. I have had wonderful dinners here and great sandwiches. I haven't really dived into the brunch menu, but I plan to someday. I'm really excited that the owners plan to open another restaurant in the new Arbor Hills shopping center opening on Washtenaw later this year!
(4)Hassan R.
The portions are small for the dollar amount, but the food is excellent! The service was nice, and it was nice to sit outside.
(4)N V.
Try the waffles with the strawberry butter! Best waffle ever.
(5)Annette J.
Seriously, Zola! How you gonna make the best strawberry and banana waffle ever?! I mean, honestly! It's just a waffle! With fresh strawberries and bananas! And yet, you've got me craving this ish on a regular basis! How does that happen? Ah right! Quality control! Excellent ingredients! The right proportions. REAL WHIPPED CREAM. That's right. You got it. And your crepes? Oh man. The spiced apple crepe with the cranberries and pecans (or was it walnuts? They're both good so it's cool). The perfect fall meal! Love. It. The steamed milk and honey? The most soothing beverage you can get. There can be a wait but it's worth it. And it's usually not too bad (if you're a late riser like I am anyway). The patio outside is lovely for warm days but the inside is loud and bustling. Quite the pick me up! Menu choices abound! Not just waffles and crepes but Mediterranean plates, omelets and other egg dishes, salads, sandwiches, coffee, smoothies, ahhhh! So many choices! Thank goodness my trusty waffle is so good that I never have to worry about feeling overwhelmed. But it's good to know if I'm feeling like a savory dish that I've got options. Many, many options. And they do dinner too! But that's for another day. I'm too stuck on these waffles right now....
(4)Al D.
Cute little café/restaurant with lots of upscale options at a decent price. Went for breakfast a couple of times and on Saturdays (obviously) the wait can be quite long, about half an hour, but worth it. Don't pass by without getting a hot chocolate, it's the best I've ever had.
(5)Fernando D.
Very good service. If you want to add/subtract to your dish, they accomodate willingly. A level of sophistication AND quality that is pleasing. Worth visiting and enjoying.
(5)R S.
Zola is overpriced for what you receive and not worth the wait--though if pressed to choose would prefer the downtown location to the "Zola Bistro" outpost on Washtenaw. An asparagus and goat cheese omelette should have more than a few ceremonial spears of asparagus and a grudging dab of cheese for the $15 price on the menu.
(3)Liz P.
There's not a ton of great brunch places downtown besides Angelo's and The Broken Egg, so we returned to Cafe Zola today - I'm an '09 UM grad who hasn't been back to Cafe Zola since 2009. The service was great, we did have like a 5-10 minute wait for a table but that's to be expected on a Sunday around 12pm. I had the waffles with strawberries and bananas (hold the bananas) and syrup and cream and they were delicious. Next time I will try one of their sandwiches or something too since now I know their crepes and waffles are both delicious. They have outdoor seating as well but we sat inside since the weather kept going from hot to cold and back. The food is a little pricey but can't be beat if you are looking for a breakfast or brunch place.
(4)Robert L.
Amazing Brunch. Long wait.
(4)Rahul J.
Great breakfast / brunch option on the weekends. Great food, outdoor seating and good service. I had the Turkish eggs and they were great.
(5)Sophie A.
Whenever I eat at Zola, I feel like something's missing. I've concluded that what's missing here is good service. The decor is great (love the exposed brick), the food is consistently good (although I wish it would change the menu more often), but the servers always seem incredibly aloof. Not sure if there's a management issue with Zola, but that would provide a possible explanation. If the service was better, I'd come here far more often.
(3)laura g.
When I only had time to eat at two restaurants on a recent A2 visit, this was one.
(5)Benjamin S.
I just dont see what the big draw to this place is. EXTREMELY overpriced, sub par food, poor service. Are people really willing to pay this much just for the atmosphere? I have tried this place probably half a doezen times and have been more and more dissapointed with each visit. The omlets are absolutely horrible and the standard "bacon & eggs" dish is nothing to celebrate and is close to $10. WIth all the breakfast options in AA, I fail to see how this place stays in business.
(2)Hugo S.
On my first visit to Ann Arbor, I showed up early on a Saturday morning after a bizarre red eye flight from LAX to Detroit Metro; unslept and unshowered, we were nonetheless welcomed to a glorious breakfast by the servers at Cafe Zola. A filling breakfast with wonderful coffee -- strong enough to get us through the rest of the day on NO sleep.
(5)Edward V.
This review is for the weekday breakfast service. My favorite is either the Turkish Brunch (with a big basket of pastries) or the Turkish Eggs (baked with spinach and feta). Delicious, both of them. This is the place downtown that you are most likely to see people having a power breakfast, and one of the few places you'll see people before 8am wearing suits and ties.
(4)Jan S.
This place is really great, the atmosphere, the food, the service. Definitely recommend! The only con was how close together all the tables are, but I guess it is a trade off.
(4)the actual s.
love it love it love it! i have been here twice. both times everything was excellent. the staff is friendly and fast. the first time i went i got a bagel and eggs with asparagus. yum. the bagel was wonderful. they have a great selection of tea and the coffee is good. the second time i must say i went a little over board on the mimosas. i rang up a pretty big check because of it but it was sooo worth it. i got a crape with egg, Havarti ham and i added bacon. it was great. i have not had the pleasure of getting any dinner items yet cause everytime i have been there it was for breakfast. its a little expensive for a breakfast but its worth it. just go!!! please try it. i love it and im sure you will too.
(5)Cathy H.
Zola is located on one of the off shoot streets from Main, and it is a very popular brunch place. I am amazed this is an Ann Arbor restaurant. When I enter Zola, I think I am in California because the eggs are as fresh as those delivered straight from Petaluma. Zola serves up the best omelets with the freshest ingredients and herbs. The best part of breakfast is topping it off with wickedly strong Turkish coffee.
(5)Amanda Z.
My friends and I were looking for a post Dexter-Ann Arbor Run brunch spot, and Café Zola won out. We got there about 10:30 on Sunday morning and must've gotten one of the last open tables available because by the time we got settled and ordered, the place was packed!! I ordered the artichoke omelet and it was just what my tired and starving body needed after the race- an open faced omelet with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, green beans, potatoes, onions and cheddar cheese. It was absolutely delicious! All of the elements blended so well together, with the rosemary potatoes adding such a great flavor throughout. It was a huge plate, so I was only able to take about 1/2 of it down before I was full. When we first sat down I thought the prices were a little high for brunch, but after getting my plate and realizing how much food was on it, I think the price point is just about right! Brunch for the three of us, with coffee and juice was $50- far too much for breakfast, but just about right for brunch. I'll definitely be back!
(4)becky k.
cafe zola sure has grown up. i guess i have too since my first visit as a humble 2nd year having coffee with a professor. same brick walls and nice sunshine, but the vibe and offerings are much more sophisticated. back in those days cafe zola was more of a coffee shop cafe with food. these days zola is a restaurant with coffee. i have been for brunch here twice and both times really liked it. the first time i had a bloody mary, coffee, and an omelette with goat cheese and asparagus. it was a lovely meal and my two girlfriends and i leisurely chatted our way through drinks, food, and coffee all of which were very good. my most recent stop i had a late lunch. the grilled vegetable salad was YUM and the balsamic dressing was great. there could have been more veggies though--i think that i saw 2 tiny little beets cubes. i love roasted beets. the service for brunch with the girls was great--constant coffee refills (which is all that really matters at brunch). the service for my solo lunch not so good. no water refills and i asked twice for lemon for the agua and it never came =( overall though the next time i'm in ann arbor i know i'll be back.
(4)Michael L.
Russian Caravan tea. omlettes. crepes. drinks, man, it was years ago, but so good in my mind. man, one place i really miss.
(5)Adam H.
Best brunch in ann arbor! Great tea selection, and amazing fries.
(5)B.J. S.
I had an amazing breakfast here while visiting from out-of-town. The service was excellent and the food was fantastic. I'm here in Ann Arbor for a few days and I'll definitely go back at least one more time.
(5)Marie H.
Cafe Zola is overpriced, but worth it for brunch as well as cocktails. The first time I ever went I got the mushroom crepe which was huge but had very odd tasting sauce that was an unappealing shade of grey. It kept me away for a long time until I tried the Turkish eggs; 2 baked eggs with spinach, a huge slab of feta cheese and some cucumbers, tomatoes, and assorted olives. The waffles, pancakes, and omlettes all look good, but I always get the Turkish eggs now because they are awesome and worth the price. The dinner menu looks overpriced and uninspired to me, but the cocktails there are fantastic, namely because not only do they have Hendrick's gin, but they aren't afraid to use a little Campari from time to time. I hate bitters, but I respect a place that will serve the classics, none of that goofy blue curaco here my friends! Be warned however that the coffee is spiked with either meth or crack, more than one cup will surely cause heart palpitations and some apraxias. It took hours for me to come down after having two cups of coffee, which would normally not make a dent.
(4)Sarah C.
this is my absolute favorite place to get brunch. the wait is often long on the weekends, esp sunday, but i feel it's well worth it. the omelets, crepes, and waffles are so yummy. they have a good seletion of tea too! i loved this place so much for brunch i was wary to go there later in the day. i went once for lunch and was not impressed. since then, i have gone back for salads/appetizers and drinks. their drinks are so good! be sure to try the pimm's cup and they make a mean mojito!
(5)Joanna C.
This place has great ambiance and fabulous mojitos. The dinner menu is not cheap, but the lamb chops are worth it. I did happen to notice that all the wait staff are ridiculously gorgeous women, not that I swing that way, but if you are looking for some eye candy to accompany the good food, I thought I'd throw that in there. Brunch is what they are known for, but honestly, I don't think it's anything special. And contrary to what others think, I don't love the crepes there. By the time it gets to your table, it's already cold and somewhat bland. But all in all, if you are looking for a great dinner place and want to try somewhere new, check out Zola.
(4)Nupur L.
Very nice coffee drinks, crepes and omelettes. I also love the french fries with their in-house ketchup and aioli. You can take or leave the waffles. The atmosphere is both hip and pleasant. My only negative experience here was when I ordered Turkish coffee with the Turkish delight and they told me after I had ordered that they ran out of Turkish delight-and still charged me the same amount. Lame.
(4)Alex E.
I've decided I need to start normalizing by Ann Arbor. Cafe Zola's food is perfectly acceptable, as opposed to my previous rating of 2 stars. Nothing (to me) really stands out as super amazing, but everything was cooked just fine and none of the sauces detracted from their dish (as it should). Yes, it's pricey, but there's a slew of other restaurants on Main/Liberty/Washington that are just as pricey and not as good. I haven't been to brunch, so I can't speak to that.
(3)Amy D.
Ann Arbor hosts a plethora of weekend brunch spots, and according to fellow Yelpers, Cafe Zola is the place to partake in this end of the week reward. We dined here on the Easter wknd, and we were lucky enough to be seated immediately. We opted out of getting a drink, but i was very impressed with their selection of beverages, alcoholic or non. I chose the Strawberry Banana crepe with freshly sliced strawberries, served with Michigan maple syrup and crème Chantilly. Since i do not like bananas, our server was kind enough to make the crepe exclusively with strawberries at no extra charge. Being from Canada, i am biased to our maple syrup, but there is something about Michigan Maple, it is delicious, i came home from this trip with two bottles in tow. My crepe was tender, and the Chantilly was a nice welcome to the standard whipped cream. My only complaint was the disbursement of the strawberries, they were all in the middle and none around the border. I simply opened up the crepe and moved the fruit around to ensure a strawberry in each bite. My sis had the Strawberry-Banana Delight waffle with fresh strawberries, bananas, crème Chantilly and Michigan maple syrup. I love how they make their waffles with Greek yogurt, it was original and it added a slight tanginess to the waffle. Overall it was slightly crisp, and was topped with the freshest fruit, and real Maple syrup. Overall, when you come to Zola's you can expect a tasty well executed meal using really fresh ingredients. I cannot wait to come here next year and try their Turkish breakfast.
(3)claudia l.
Yes, the food is great and our waiter was wonderful but do not take you elderly mother there on Mother's Day. I made a reservation weeks ahead of time but we still waited over 30 minutes to be seated. The worst part was my poor mother was smashed against a very crowded bar and banged about by people sitting at the bar. I asked the people at the desk to find a place for my mother to sit several times . . . .all ignored. Great food . . must be a friend of the owner to be seated quickly.
(2)Javier G.
Had the french toast. Nice portions, tasted pretty good, but it was pretty pricy ($12??). Angelo's has comparable if not better french toast for a few bucks less.
(3)n. g.
Brunch/lunch is delicious. The omelettes, smoothies and sandwiches are all excellent. Most importantly, the menu is huge! Dinner is less impressive. Everything looks so good when it is described on the menu, but much of the food is bland or just a little off. The mushroom pasta is bland and the lemon sauce on the lemon tagliatelle tastes like lemon yogurt (and not in a good way). There are some gems, though - the fries are terrific, as is the bread and the salmon burger. Worth a try, I think, but not worth coming back to very often.
(3)star l.
Funny to see this restaurant categorized in Turkish--after an Saturday evening meal I don't recall many turkish things on the menu! However, what was offered was like dreaming of one flavour to another. They lean slightly heavier on the fish options than meat, but if your interest is flavour, the menu is literally one of those experiences that makes it tough to choose but plan to come back.
(4)Francis U.
Very good breakfast/brunch and crepes. Highly recommended for breakfast. I've been there twice now and had crepes both times. Also had the farmhouse and mexican omelet (my dining partner and I would share). Mexican omelet was was very good, but you gotta like Chorizo. Farmhouse was so-so -- too many vegetables. But you can't go wrong with crepes.
(4)Jessica E.
A friend commented this morning, "There are places in Ann Arbor that are good brunch fare, for Ann Arbor. But Zola is good brunch fare, period." As a frequent brunch-goer in America's brunch capital (New York, no?), I have to heartily agree. From the slow but attentive service to the innovative menu (forget about everything being drenched in Hollandaise, because that's not how Zola rolls), I couldn't imagine a better spot on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Yes, the prices are a bit high, and sometimes there's a wait, but ten times out of ten, I think it's worth it. This particular morning, we enjoyed an outdoor table and started with coffee and cocktails. My mimosa was strongly spiked and fresh. Foodstuffs ordered included the Frittata Zola, an open omelette with soft goat cheese and caramelized onions and a side of red-skinned potatoes with rosemary, as well as the the Turkish brunch, a huge offering of vegetables, Havarti cheese, and a basket of breads and muffins. We ordered a banana and Nutella crepe for the table, as well, which came with the most rich ice cream on top. Everything was fresh, delicious, and served in generous quantities. We took a fair amount of food home with us. Look, there are plenty of brunch options in Ann Arbor. But if you're looking for a little foodie escapism, go to Zola.
(5)Andrew L.
I decided to eat here after reading all of the great reviews. When we arrived it was crowded, but that's usually a good sign. The food was only ok. I had the crepes and they were mediocre at best. I don't really understand why people are always so impressed with crepes, they're not that hard to make so they should always be great. I would visit again and try the waffles (they looked really, at least the lady in the table next to us was thoroughly enjoying her's). Staff was fast and friendly.
(3)Sara G.
My Zola love mainly spins on the "brunch" axis, but I have enjoyed a dinner there lately, so let me divide this review into two parts. 1. **Brunch** The coffee is always dark and strong. The frittatas and omelettes bursting, the crepes perfect (at least mine always seem to be), the potatoes crisp and herbaceous. I never leave this place hungry. In fact, you could share a dish and still come away stuffed to the gills. One of my favorite things to do in warm weather Ann Arbor is to enjoy a right Zola brunch outside with friends. Keep the coffee pouring! 2. **Dinner** Honestly, first time I had dinner here I was less than impressed with my three "jumbo" scallops and bowl full of artfully mixed baby greens. However, this was after Zola first began serving dinner. I came here a few weeks ago with a large group and it was pretty marvelous. My meat was rare (yes I asked for it like that) and the fries coated with lots of parmesan. Next time I go I may order the paper-wrapped fish, which looked awesome and not too well done. You have to enjoy eating fish off the bone, otherwise don't bother. They have nice mixed drink offerings and a good wine menu. Excellent espresso martini! Not sure most people know that Zola was at first a cafe' that offered lunch and brunch items before they expanded into dinners. In the Zola brunch vs. dinner deathmatch, brunch is the winna! ONE IMPORTANT THING: if you make a reservation, make sure that you confirm it before showing up to the restaurant, and get the name of the server you confirmed with. There's a tendency to be a tad unorganized when it comes to reservations.
(4)Andrea M.
BEST BRUNCH IN ANN ARBOR...can I get a "wOOt wOOt"... I have to say, and I really do not mean to seem cliche, (no, I will not break into song) that Cafe Zola has the best brunch in town. Order the Turkish brunch and you will never be disappointed; that IS their specialty. That brunch is my sweet escape. It's almost like a mini-spa moment in a brunch. Add a mimosa to drink and that tops it off. THE CHEAP SEATS I had to give Zola 4 stars due to the somewhat crowded & very busy atmosphere and the mistakes that seem to happen on our orders when we go there. Certainly, any mistakes are minor and get fixed, but it seems to be a theme. Worst thing that ever happened was when we were sat behind the curtain thing, next to the bar, when you walk in the door. Horrible! There should not be seating there, it's wretched. I will never sit there again and I know how much it messes up a restaurant to ask for another seat, but that's their own fault. Note to Zola, get rid of those "cheap seats" and extend the bar around the corner instead. Or, just stick to 1 more widow table there. SNOOTY GATEKEEPERS BE DAMNED Ignore any icy hostesses, as most of them are snooty, but you get the occasional nice one. Who cares, she is just giving you a seat, the end. Ignore her snoot and move on. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE They have an extensive brunch and breakfast menu that will please just about everyone, so don't be shy that it seems to be known for Turkish brunch. They've got regular omlettes and other things to please. I am just biased since I loooooove the Turkish brunch. AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE I think Zola is best a spur-of-the-moment choice. If you drive or walk by and see it has a short lull in the amount of people, run in then. I know, it sounds crazy, but that will avoid you missing out on a great brunch. Go on a whim at an odd time and you'll enjoy it more. Go for the latest brunch you can do on a weekday (if you can) and enjoy it instead of hating it for the crowds. OVERALL Turkish brunch + mimosa = very happy. :)
(4)angela p.
If this review were solely about the vibe, I would give it one star. This place represents nearly everything I despise about Ann Arbor: semi-rude waitstaff; yuppie/professor-heavy clientele; high prices; pretentiousness dripping from the very brick of the walls. HOWEVER. The crepes are damn good. The smoothies are yum. They know how to cook an egg. The coffee makes me forgive them every time. Sigh. I'm such a fucking pushover.
(3)Lily P.
Cafe Zola is my favorite restaurant on campus! It has a great breakfast selection which is pricey relative to broken egg, angelos, and etc but the portions are huge and you probably won't be able to finish the omelet by yourself. Ive had the Farmhouse Omelette a few times.. (ham and Vermont cheddar with sauted onions, green & red peppers, tomatoes and garlic.) The chopped up potatoes and sides that come with breakfast are amazing and distracted me enough that I didn't finish my breakfast. I'm a egg, waffle, omelette person but they also have sandwiches for adults and KIDS on the menu for breakfast. I'm not sure if I ever will get one since the breakfast is so good and they give you so much there is no room for more food. They have the crepes they have for dinner as dessert but also have some other breakfast ones. I could careless to have a salad for breakfast no matter how amazing they look...eggs are meant to be eaten in the morning and the amazing rabbit diet food is for later on. With your food you can get different types of teas, coffes, fresh juices (orange and carrot), yummy smoothies!, french sodas Only issue with breakfast is that its a popular place and you might need to wait and don't go with a big group since you never will get seated anytime soon. For dinner they have a good wine selection and I love getting tuna there. The tuna burger also is a pretty good choice if you have a younger party there since it comes with thin fries and is less expensive. The ketchup is great and you def need to try it. The drink menu and bar is good with fast service. Appeitizers are unlike other mainstreet restuarants where there is basically no food, they def tell you what everyone is, gives you recommendations and then bring out more food then you expected. Ive had the mussels (good by any means even though the place isn't known for seafood unlike real seafood co and the commons), bruschetta is standard, and note to self to try more food. For the other meals make sure you ask about what exactly they are serving since one of my friends ordered a meal that sounded like there was tomatoes in it..but it came out with some meat in the middle of an entire tomato dish. I've had the whole fish there a few times and its always cooked pretty well. The steak is standard better than pac rim..not as good at chophouse...not a big fan of the chicken (entire chicken) dish. Ahi Tuna is good here..its not remarkable but good portion, all the fish here are cooked the way you should be eating the fish, sugar snap peas done in a lovely manner and are not mushy by any means. They always have some special going on so we never order often from the menu for the dinner suggestions unless I'm going for a burger or Filet Mignon (with damn good mushrooms). The crepes are huge and you definitely want to share with someone while the rest of the desserts are basically normal portions. The coffee drinks are great and a wonderful way to end your meal. The dessert drinks may look girly but it makes grown men suck up the judging by unknown foodies and order them anyways. They are pretty good with their coffee art too.
(4)Michelle C.
Great restaurant, a must! I went here for my first date and went back again after our 1-year anniversary. The food, ambiance, service, and menu is alllll wonderful! I have been here twice for dinner and the dishes we had are amazing and of top quality. My favorite thing about Cafe Zola is the unique twist they put on dishes that you do not see too much at other conservative restaurants in Michigan. From the capers in the bread spread (no plain butter here!) to the coconut-cilantro rice, it is all neat to taste and experience. I would recommend the Ahi Tuna and the Chimichurri Tango. They are delicious to say the least. I also tried a Salmon-Stuffed Ravioli which wasn't that great, there are definitely better alternatives. A must-try! I plan on trying this place out for breakfast/brunch soon
(5)Kate B.
'Zola is the place to go for brunch in Ann Arbor. It's a rather loud, boisterous interior (so if you're hard-of-hearing it can be trying) but the service is good and the breakfast/brunch food is a nice treat. I've had most of their omlettes (the southwest is delish...get it with Chorizo and spoon on a bit of sourcream...yum), sandwiches, and crepes over the years since they've opened, and never had a bad meal (see caveat at end of brunch review). I occasionally get the Turkish Brunch special: plate of grape-leaves, cheeses, olives, tomato, cucumber, and a basket of breads, sweet roll with butter and preserves (also comes with coffee or tea.) It's fun to make wee sandwiches on buttered bread using the tomato, cukes, and cheeses. Moms and Auntys love being taken to Zola...or so I hear :O) Caveat: I've dined at Zola for dinner 3 times...each time it was quite inedible, the pastas were particularly vile (esp. the wild mushroom pasta): sticky/heavy sauces, overdone pasta, salty and bland at the same time. lambchops were overdone, also tasted mentholated due to too much mint. The appetizers (antipasto plate especially) and drinks were good, but the entrees were blah + expensive.
(4)Melody B.
I rarely eat out in Ann Arbor, and I'm glad I got to try Cafe Zola. The high point is the food. Interesting menu, with a lot of delicious combinations and ideas. I ordered Heidi's Breakfast, which was a glorified bagel sandwich with eggs, shredded sweet potatoes, chives, asparagus, cheese and more. It was extremely tasty. The atmosphere is nice, kind of bustling, and crowded but not uncomfortable. The food and speciality beverages are expensive. I'm not sure where they get their ingredients, but for what they charge I expect that they are local and fresh as hell. I'm tempted to say it's overpriced. The service was on the slow side and the servers were kind of aloof.
(4)Liz L.
I just had brunch at Cafe Zola for the first time this morning. It was delicious! Very busy in the restaurant and it can get quite crowded, but once we were seated we had excellent service and the food was phenomenal. The ingredients are fresh and it was great to have breakfast that wasn't overly greasy. It's a little more expensive than typical breakfast/brunch, but the portion sizes are huge and it's definitely worth the extra couple bucks.
(4)Rugen R.
The food here was AMAZING. Like other places, be prepared for a long wait if you don't go there early enough.
(5)Heather G.
25 Things I Love About Cafe Zola's Brunch* and One Thing I don't: 25. Killer bloody marys 24. The ever-changing decor 23. Multiple coffee roasts to choose from, all delicious 22. Most excellent people watching opportunities 21. The lovely lox platter, with a bagel, capers, veggies, cream cheese etc. 20. They know the difference between an omelet and a frittata 19. You can order coffee brewed in a French press 18. Real butter. 17. The rosemary roasted redskins are always perfectly done and delicious, and always included with my omelet. 16. F-ing ICE CREAM on a f-ing WAFFLE for BREAKFAST!! 15. They appreciate the under appreciated herb tarragon 14..They don't have Lipton tea. 13. Goat Cheese + Challah Croutons + Sweet Potatoes + Caramelized Onions = Party in My Mouth aka... Frittata Zola 12. They use buckwheat batter to make their savory crepes 11. It's really not *that* expensive... 10. IMHO, it's the only place in A2 to get a decent crepe. 9. They have their brunch menu until 4:00 pm in case you get a late start 8. Pretty food 7. They serve THE champignon crepe, stuffed with mushrooms, topped with a savory mushroom sauce... I can hope that I will be able to replicate in my lifetime. Three French cookbooks later, file under F for "fail" but I digress. 6. The similarly situated Omelet Duxelles. 5. Michigan. Maple. Syrup. 4. Challah Toast. Holla! Get it? Challah? Holla? Sorry. 3. Not a sign of Redi-Whip in the whole joint 2. Booze with your Brunch...aka the only way to have a proper brunch. 1. It is perfect place to spend a weekday morning when you are playing hooky and want to enjoy a leisurely and delicious breakfast. Trust me. Not that I've ever done it. 0. Everyone else loves it too, so there's always a wait on the weekend and it is super crowded and loud. *This is a brunch/breakfast review. My love for Cafe Zola does not extend to their dinner menu, which is only 3.5 to 4 stars in my book.
(5)Dominic L.
Had brunch there last week... Food was great and atmoshere is very chill... expect a line on sunday... i had the crepes... they are great but not exactly filling for the hungry ones... didnt try the cocktails but they look interesting... wouldnt mind coming here every sunday if i live in ann arbor
(4)NJ C.
an overly crowded experience that was overpriced. If you want to have a hearty, relaxing brunch and you are a kind of person that can get annoyed by some pretentious hype, this is not the place you want to go. However nice it might seem from the outside.
(3)Emma K.
My breakfast home away from home. Crepes of any kind are never a bad idea here...especially the champignon. Turkish eggs or Turkish breakfast are amazing and I would pretty much steal an old ladies purse for one of those damn mochas.....mmmmm.
(5)Alison L.
Cafe Zola is one of the best and most consistent restaurants in Ann Arbor. If I could afford it, I would host a mimosa brunch here for everyone I know each and every Sunday, and then life itself as we know it would surely appear to be as fulfilling and enjoyable as those delicious little fruit filled crepes. Ooh la la, c'est marveilleux!
(4)Lydia S.
There are many reviews here for Cafe Zola's breakfast, but don't hesitate to come for evening cocktails. I am very impressed with Cafe Zola's variety of classic cocktails. The Sidecar, Sazerac, Martini, Negroni, Pimm's Cup, Manhattan. And they are made well. Came for dinner on a date with my then-new relationship, saw the price, and my eyes popped out of my head. I did not want my date to think I was high maintenance by ordering a pricey dish, so I stuck with a salad. It was not terribly filling, but I had a few bites of his fish dish (can't remember what we ordered, exactly), and my salad + cocktail tided me over. Great atmosphere, as well. Mood-lit and the dark wood make for a very romantic atmosphere, and on a busy night, the place is booming with laughter and clinking glasses. I'll definitely be going again! And, if you want to fit in, look nice. I abide by the mantra, "I'd rather be over-dressed than under-dressed," and people tend to look nice, here.
(4)Grace S.
Wonderful Brunch Place in the area! On every sunday, the place is packed with people. It gives you the kind of vibe that you are looking for in a Sunday morning so that you can start the day early! (not staying in bed until 2-ish as what I usually do) I went there twice, one on the Vday with my gal frds, one with my frd visiting Ann Arbor. I had a good time in both occasions. Food was really good and they made the food feel a little bit less oily than what they really were. I don't know how they do that but I don't feel guilty finishing the whole breakfast dish. Probably it's because it doesn't have a large portion as what Angelo's has to offer. Anyway, good for group hangouts.
(4)Katie M.
This breakfast was hands down the best I've ever had in my life. AMAZING flavors for pancakes and omelets. This place is so good I feel like simple food like pancakes and eggs just doesn't do it justice. Really if you're in Ann Arbor this HAS to be one of your stops.
(5)Monaco C.
Expensive. Food was alright. i ordered eggs benedict and they brought out over easy fried eggs (intentionally). So, cant say that i got what i paid for. Great atmosphere tho.
(3)Molly H.
I feel it should be noted that you can get a 2 egg omelet instead of the massive 3 egg variety and thereby achieve a perfectly reasonable breakfast quantity. Took my family here recently and they were incredibly impressed. Thanks Zola!
(4)Lara S.
I do love going here, but I have to keep my rating at 3 stars because if they had any competition in Ann Arbor, I wouldn't go as much. It has a nice urban vibe inside with exposed brick and an often lively atmosphere. The service ranges from very friendly to being ignored. On weekend mornings for brunch there is often a wait and the wait staff rush you from your table. One time, they even took away our waters before the check had come back for us to sign. I understand wanting to turn a table, but come on. The food is good- in my opinion brunch and lunch are better than dinner. My favorites are the Autumn Omelet and the Turkish Eggs. Very creative and always very tasty.
(3)Theresa U.
Came here one wintery day to meet up with Lisa N. for lunch! They could have had a larger winter rug by the front door. It was awfuly slippery! Everyone tracking snow in. But besides that. About the food! I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with saffron mayo. The chicken was very moist and flavorful! I'd order it again. The bread was a little touch to chew. I think the roof of my mouth bled a little. Eh. oh well. Lisa N. ordered Zola crepe. Which looked good. And fried. Yum! I LOVE the dipping sauces! She also oredered a waffle and grilled cheese. We ended our 'light' (haha! yeah- right) lunch with their lemon poppyseed cake. That was SOOO good. Just like moms! I'm not quite sure if they had ordered it from Zingerman's. I'll have to ask next time I go. 4 stars...
(4)Theresa T.
I have a good friend from Brooklyn who loves to come to Cafe Zola when she's in town. So I tend to drop by Zola a few times a year. I think that this place is extremely overpriced and the snooty waitstaff is down right silly. Yes, the food is fantastic but it's not worth the wait, the obnoxiously apathetic staff, nor the expensive coffee that's well -- not *that* great.
(2)Scott D.
Holy hell, this place is awesome. The teas, crepes and omelettes are as good as they get. Brunch is worth the usually short wait. No matter what you get, you will love it. I promise.
(5)Ayesha S.
I ended up back here the other day with my laptop in tow. I was told that the only real way to plug in was to sit at the bar (fine by me) and have the servers would have to plug me in behind the bar (not really fine by me- awkward). They were kind enough to do so, but I kind of figured that Cafe Zola is not the type of place to go and get work done. For some reason, this disappointmented me as I think it totally has that vibe- at least during the day. I decided to get the chicken sandwich rather than my usual crepe. Totally not a good idea! The sandwich bread was IMPOSSIBLE to cut through! I ended up eating the chicken breast on its own and munching on the bread as needed. I'm not sure how anyone could eat that thing! I also really dislike bread that makes my gums bleed, but that is just me. I'd still go back to Zola, but I'd stick to the breakfast entrees and not think about flying solo to get work done. Sad face, Zola.
(3)Clayton H.
Excellent brunch food. I am a student, so this place can't be frequented too often due to its absurdly priced cuisine. But man, it is wonderful. Absolutely delicious and fresh all the way around. And that is from a guy who has eaten at every breakfast joint in Ann Arbor.
(5)judy h.
Came here for dinner... great ambience (ie can't really see what i am eating without taking a picture of it.) had a delicious asparagus salad with the bread pudding with dark chocolate, vanilla ice-cream, and kumquat marmalade. The service was excellent too!
(4)Clarence C.
Cafe Zola serves great food, a little on the pricey side, but worth the extra dollars for what you get. Kobe burger with fries was delicious. Good meat and grilled perfectly. I also loved the stilton salad and the crab cakes. They came with a bread basket and herb butter that made me very happy--delicious whole grain bread and another bread with sesame seeds in the crust. The Salmon burger did not agree with me, and this was a small personal tragedy, because I love fish and was looking forward to it. I should have read the menu more closely--and then had them hold the ginger. I don't like the mouth-burning taste of raw ginger. It ruined this dish for me. I like how they take care of all the little details at Cafe Zola. The presentation is above par for Ann Arbor. And most dishes incorporate an uncannny combination of flavors and textures that can't be accidental. The dinner menu is short and a little pricey. Only about 15 options for the main course, although there are daily specials. The prices are slightly higher than other downtown restaurants, despite the casual decor. Expect to pay $20 to $30 per plate for dinnner, although you can go cheaper with the hamburger or pasta. (I'm being tough because I love you, Cafe Zola. Just make sure you stay on my list of favorites.)
(4)Valentina M.
Very Good Food But expensive !! Great mocha's and yummy sandwiches !! Would Recommend !!
(4)Alayna H.
Yummy yummy in my tummy. Yes, Cafe Zola is a slightly expensive, but the food is well worth the price. I'm generally not one to purchase drinks at restaurants since more often than not they're very overpriced, so I have no qualms there. Well, non-alcohlic drinks that is...anyhow, I have been to Zola a few times and each time myself and my lunch counterparts were very pleasantly surprised. I generally go with the crepes and have never been disappointed. In the summer I love to sit outside, although one particular day it was quite windy and the charm was slightly diminished, but we still enjoyed it. Overall, not the type of place I'd frequent since I'm a cheap-o, but a great place to go for some delicious brunch when you feel like treating yourself.
(4)Jay R.
This review is for brunch at 10am on a weekday morning in August, so I can't offer any views on crowding or table turnover issues. While it was a bit on the pricey side, it was worth every penny for the quality and attention to detail. The coffee was excellent (some kind of Sumatran French roast) and constantly replenished, as was the water. The breads were from Zingerman's and fresh and good. I had an Istanbul omelette - eggplant, cheese (I substituted havarti for whatever cheese they normally used) and some other vegetables that I can't recall, and it was superb. My wife loved her spinach omelette and my son's waffles were among the best I had anywhere. Add in a cool vibe and it's a great brunch place.
(5)S M.
I've eaten here a few times and have generally had pretty positive experiences here. On average, it's probably 3.5 stars. Today was a bit of an exception and hopefully not a harbinger of things to come in terms of future dining experiences. The service was a bit uncoordinated -- I had to ask for ketchup, a pepper shaker (we had 2 salt shakers), more water, a different type of toast (after not being asked this initially) -- and left the restaurant wishing the server had refilled my glass one final time. The worst affront was that my seemingly lovely Omelette Zola (with carmelized onions, goat cheese, and sweet potato chunks) was riddled with undercooked sweet potato pieces. I was only able to find a few pieces that were somewhat amenable to chewing. The side of potatoes, on the other hand, were somewhat overcooked and sort of lackluster. All in all, I do like this place typically, but today seemed to be off. Do I find their food phenomenal? Not really, especially for the price. But for Ann Arbor, I suppose it's pretty decent.
(3)Christine E.
I wasn't going to write a review because it seems that people have mostly said what I hate about this place. I would like to say that the service is HORRIBLE! I've been here four times. Once, we were completely ignored for fifteen minutes until we finally left without ordering. Once the host looked down his nose at us as if to say "what do you think your doing here?" and informed us that the table outside was for some of their "regulars" and that we would have to sit inside. Another time we sat at the bar and had drinks, the bartender was a delightful change to the awful experiences I've had here, but it was too little too late. I will not be returning.
(1)Dharma A.
I think Zola has a great dinner menu, though they are known for breakfast. Many interesting dishes that meld styles from around the world. Really like the Shrimp Batu! They also serve an appetizer with Tracklement's smoked salmon (the best and a local favorite)! I worked there for several months before starting graduate school, so I know the menu pretty well. They have a great wine selection and wonderful cocktails. Be prepared to pay top dollar for them though! The interior is attractive--I like the exposed brick look, though sound tends to bounce off the walls making it a bit echoey when there is a crowd.
(4)Jen S.
Came here for brunch and almost orgasmed over the latte! I am a coffee addict so all versions of coffee are really important to me. It was seriously the best latte I've had since Paris! It was so good. The 3 stars are really just for the latte. Brunch was eh to me -- but I think next time I'll have to try something else because everyone else on here has given it really great reviews. Also, I thought the food was overpriced.
(3)Anthony V.
My wife and I love this place! Creative dishes with a Mediterranean flare. I've never had a bad meal or experience here. It's a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for.
(5)Emma L.
Not understanding the hype about this place. Yes the atmosphere was fun, but everything else was mediocre. I had to practically jump up and down to get the hostess to even look up at me (She didn't even respond when I said "Hi"). Our server was friendly, but the food was very overpriced. I got the crab cake benedict, which ended up being a crab cake on top of half of an english muffin, and then a fried egg on top of the other half. There was supposedly some sort of lemon sauce on top, which I couldn't taste. For $16 this should at least come with potatoes or another side. I didn't think it was anything special and was still hungry when we left. The drinks we had were great, but again slightly overpriced. Would not go back.
(2)Annie A.
What a wonderful way to spend a morning. Cafe Zola started out by making crepes, so it's no surprise that they are delectable. I ordered a smoked salmon crepe which was incredibley flavorful, yet light enough for me to still feel energized for the day. The french press coffee didn't hurt either. Pets seem to be very welcome with outdoor seating and the servers even bring out little bowls of iced water for them! Parking may be a little bit of an obstacle, but it will be worth the walk if you have to go a few block to find a spot.
(4)A H.
I really love their chimichurri hanger steak and the fries! I've also had the ravioli and the tuna, both equally good. Definitely get a martini, they give you the small shaker to refill your glass. Probably get around 2.5 martinis out of it. They had a lemon tart one weekend that was amazing, but we usually get the chambord cheesecake. Love sitting outside during the summer, great people watching. Not really a fan of the espresso though, it turns out rather syrupy.
(5)CUNIT T.
Great creeps and brunch on the weekends!
(4)Sara B.
I've had mixed experiences here at best. The service is sometimes spotty, especially when they get busy, and there is ALWAYS a wait on Weekends. I don't mean a 15 minute wait either, I mean a line around the block that totally isn't justified hour wait. The best experience I had here was when I got a waffle with fruit topping and a mimosa. Was it worth the 28 or so dollars? Not really, but it was very good. However, both of the crepes I've tried were lackluster, dry, and slight on the fillings. If there's no line and you can manage to get the right thing it's good, but if you have to wait and you get crepe, I would say it's not worth it.
(3)Olivia P.
I don't come here often because there's often a line for weekend brunches, but today it was raining so there wasn't that much of a wait. Anyway, I decided to try something different this time. I had Zola's Crab Cake Benedict. A little pricey at $15.95 but I wanted to try it since I really enjoy crab cake benedicts. Unfortunately I was quite disappointed. Basically, it was 1 crab cake served on one half of an english muffin, and an egg on the other half of the muffin. I changed my egg from being done over easy to just plain egg whites. First off, I paid an extra $2.95 for changing a serving of one egg to egg whites. Way too pricey in my opinion (consider paying 1-2 dollars for changing a serving of 2 or 3 eggs to egg whites at other breakfast joints) and definitely would not have changed it if I knew I was going to pay that much. Next, the crab cake. While the dish came with only 1 crab cake, I must say that it was really packed with a lot of crab meat. There were too many chopped peppers and onions inside for my liking though. Paid $18.90 before tax and tip for my crab cake benedict. Don't think I'll get it again from Cafe Zola and would probably stick with something like the Champignon Crepe. If i want my fix of crab cake benedict, I'll probably head to Angelos. Better bang for for your buck ($9.99 for 2 crab cakes and 2 eggs) and more flavorful.
(3)Jessica R.
Cafe Zola is expensive, but is always a great meal. I've had dinner here several times; their burgers are insanely good, and their general meals (half chicken, e.g.) are creative and filling. For brunch, the Turkish Breakfast blows my mind. The omelettes and milkshakes are also great. In the summer you can sit outside. The sun really beats down on you, though.
(4)Khiang S.
Great restaurant for breakfast. You step in and light music is playing in the background. waitresses are dressed in their own fun way. That along made this place feels fun and energetic. I sat at the bar and service was quick. Good selection of breakfast items. Opted for a vegetarian omelette this am. Nice big portion. Had the Provençal omelette. Just a fun place to hangout.
(4)Blair R.
Cafe Zola is an Ann Arbor staple and with good reason. I've only ever visited for brunch but the menu options are expansive and interesting. I've had omelets, the turkish eggs and the turkish brunch and haven't been disappointed. The food is substantial with fresh and tasty ingredients. I especially love that Cafe Zola loves feta almost as much of me. MMM! I can also probably eat the entire bread basket and be happy. The prices are high, especially for a sunday brunch. Also -- sometimes i want a place that is simple and classic -- Cafe Zola is not that.
(4)Rina N.
This brunch spot is legit. I highly recommend the classic Belgian waffle as they use Greek yogurt in their batter which I think makes a world of a difference! (Crispy and moist!!) Salmon hash is my favorite so far, coffee is a little too expensive for fair trade (3.50) and bitter taste, but that's my personal opinion and coffee preference :)
(4)Crystal M.
First time coming here, I thought this place would be good because of other reviews but I was definitely wrong. The server took too long to get my order and would disappear for a long time when I needed something. There was only a few people eating here at the time as well. My entree was very small. The raw tuna had no flavor. It was just plain with avocado. The sauce was all on the bottom. There was way too much, it overwhelmed everything else. I think it was just soy sauce or something of that sort. The two pieces of bread that came with it was hard and tasted like it had wasabi in it. I spent too much on this dish. It was not worth what I had to pay. Next time I come to Ann Arbor again, this is not on my list of restaurants to go to.
(2)Tom R.
Stopped in on way home from Ann Arbor. I really like places like this, diverse menu, bar, coffee, and all done well. Perfect for brunch time.
(4)Sami S.
Love this place! I like their brunch better than dinner but the service is great and they are really friendly.
(4)Victoria S.
Whatever you do, do NOT go here on a Sunday. EVER. First, we were told our wait was 30-40 minutes when we arrived at 11. We waited over an hour because they accommodated a party of 18. Yes. EIGHTEEN. On an overcrowded post-Michigan Football Sunday morning. This party should have been forced to split up into smaller groups or find a new restaurant. Second, they RAN OUT OF COFFEE. HOW in the name of Columbia does a place known for it's brunch RUN OUT OF COFFEE ON A SUNDAY??!! We had 4 coffee drinkers at our table and from time to time our waitress would stop by with one of their small coffee urns which barely fill a single person's cup, let alone the four of us! Third, half of our food for our party was served tepid or ice cold, including a waffle and a crepe, both of which were sent back to the kitchen to be reheated or remade. The waffle, which had previously been covered in whipped cream, was MICROWAVED, turning it into a rubbery squishy mess. Thank goodness the manager comp'd that one, otherwise there would've been hell to pay. Fourth, and certainly not least, our party of six was squeezed around a table for four in the corner of the restaurant, and waited on by one of the worst servers I've encountered in Ann Arbor. Overall, this was the final nail in the coffin for me at Zola, and as much as I love the Turkish Brunch, I don't think I'll be going back again.
(1)Emine S.
I'm Turkish. The owner of Zola is Turkish. If there is one thing Turks take very seriously is..... Oh! Surprise, surprise! Breakfast and Brunch. This restaurant is legit. From the breads, the butters, the coffees, the teas, the need to showcase Turkish pride as Turkish items are freckled throughout the menu. Now I must admit, I'm not not proud of it, I haven't tried anything but the Turkish Brunch and Turkish eggs (blame my father). But every time I had it I was whisked back to the Bospherus sitting in sunshine and admiring the gorgeous views Istanbul has to offer. That woman is serious about her restaurant and only quality items go in. It's a must try of Ann Arbor.
(5)Alice C.
do you realize that there is a bagel on the menu that costs $17???? sure, it has a couple slices of smoked salmon on it, but so do thousands of other places, including some in very expensive cities like new york and san francisco, and NONE OF THEM COST SEVENTEEN DOLLARS. minus one star for that ridiculousness. minus another star for the pretentious attitudes of both zola and the staff. poor staff -- I hear they are poorly treated. anyhoo, 3 stars for the delicious food, excellent ambiance, local artwork on the walls, and for making crabcakes that I dream about.
(3)Nicole L.
Zola definitely wins for the loveliest brunch in town. I've never had something that wasn't extraordinary, and they have some of the greatest omelets I've ever had. Pick a time without the rush (or even when you can sit outside) and it's perfection.
(5)Ari Z.
Great food. Clean cooking. Always satisfied. A little pricey and expect to wait on the weekends.
(5)Tina M.
I had one of the sweet crepes and it's not what I expected (too buttery), but that's probably partially on me for misreading the menu. My friend had the savory mushroom crepe and it was delicious! The seating outside is uncomfortably tight - you can't help but hear conversations from the tables on either side of yours. I don't live in Ann Arbor but will go back when I visit again. Huge menu!
(3)Derek W.
Not a good experience. We made reservations for 7:45 on a Saturday night for five people. We all arrived on time. We waited 50 minutes past our reservation time to get seated. Every time a slightly larger party arrived they would seat them first even if they had a later reservation. One of those parties knew we had been waiting over half an hour and offered to buy us a drink when they got seated first, which is more than the management of the restaurant did for us. I would have much preferred that they had simply told us early on that they were not going to honor reservation than to keep us there by saying "just five more minutes" for the last 30 minutes of our wait. The hostess said "we will make it up to you" but no effort was made in that direction. My guess is that they take as many reservation as they can and don't care if they overbook. It made for a bad dining experience and made us so late we had to cancel our other plans. As to the food, I would say that the appetizers were pretty good (especially the stuffed peppers) and the salads were fresh and tasty. However the entrees were pretty pedestrian servings of expensive meat in butter and a bit tasteless for $30+ per plate.
(1)Samantha G.
this is probably the nicest atmosphere/food combo I have found in Ann Arbor in the few weeks I've been here. Delicious cocktails started things off well, and a really nice variety of food options made my picky-eating parents very happy. We had a lamb kofte appetizer, carrot-ginger soup, and I had scallops on pasta in a refreshing lemon cream sauce. Our waitress was extremely attentive and I think she steered us all in the right direction in terms of what to order and how much. The restaurant is nicely decorated and there's a fair amount of space for groups - good for small-ish celebrations/occasions. My only complaint was that there were some kids running around and causing a ruckus that got to be a little disruptive, but that wasn't the restaurant's fault. Great place for an interesting and tasty meal!
(5)Rebekah H.
$3.50 for coffee is absurd. This place used to have my two thumbs up everytime, but no one can charge $3.50 for mediocre lukewarm coffee and $13 for eggs and keep my business. Fyi, Zola, this is not new york. And even in new york, no one charges $3.50 for coffee, except Sarabeth's, but they shouldn't and neither should you.
(2)Jennifer H.
A bit on the pricey side but the food is worth it! A go-to for breakfast when we can get away without kids. We often split an omelet & it's more than enough! Usually great service!
(5)Erin G.
I love Cafe Zola. I've been here a bunch of times and have never had bad food. I have had not-so-great service, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Things like not having water refilled for about an hour, stuff like that. I love all of their omelets and that they have Zingerman's bread for toast, and their amazing (though pricey) coffee. On my birthday, they gave me a free banana Nutella crepe, and I could have died happy right then. One time, I was there for brunch with my boy, and the owner, Hediye, liked a song that was playing, so she got up on the bar and started dancing with her staff. That sealed the deal as one of my fave restaurants.
(4)Mark B.
My favorite breakfast place in Ann Arbor. Good coffee, chai tea, and Russian Caravan tea. My kids love the PBJ smoothies. The Turkish eggs, smoked salmon omelet, the americana, smoked salmon on bagel, and Turkish brunch, are my favorites. I've enjoyed great, friendly service there for years but routinely arrive about 7 am. I'm must admit I do my best to avoid the out of town brunch crowd.
(5)Mae S.
Zola is still one of my few favorites that I go back to as often as anywhere. The crepes, omelets, and salads are all really good.
(5)maggie t.
Food was alright but "market price" for a glass of orange juice ended up being $6.50. Outrageous to charge that without any indication, either on the menu or from the waitress. And as for the waffle--thin and floppy. At 11 dollars, no thank you. NEVER returning here.
(1)Christopher S.
Had a kind of vegetarian eggs benedict, was very good and fresh. Service was good as was the coffee.
(4)Ellen P.
We stopped here for weekend brunch en route home from a family gathering in the area...we chose Cafe' Zola on the strength of some online recommendations. We very much enjoyed our food, even though the prices are on the spendy side -- we loved the sheer variety of menu items, especially the mix of French, Turkish and American dishes, and had a hard time choosing between the crepes, waffles, omelettes and other choices. (I finally chose one of the savory crepe dishes, which was very good.) We also liked the funky, exotic atmosphere. The coffee was exceptionally good, and this is coming from someone who normally likes a milder brew. The one thing that detracted from our dining experience was sheer lack of space -- the restaurant was completely full, with people waiting in line, and we also had to contend with a couple of Scary Yuppie Stroller Moms. (This wouldn't be my first dining choice for families with tiny children.) We'd love to come back at a slower time of day to try another menu and simply enjoy sitting there with our coffee.
(4)Puneet S.
Favorite breakfast place in Ann Arbor.
(4)Leang E.
We got up to have brunch here, and it was pretty good except for the fact that I've come to find that I'm not so much a breakfast person as of lately. I just usually have coffee in the morning and that doesn't leave room for much else. This seems to be a pretty popular spot. The place has a simple, Eastern contemporary theme to it, and it makes for a nice ambiance. I did have my cappuccino here, but it was kind of warm. I had the frittata here, and it was pretty good. I could only eat a small portion of it, and was already stuffed. I felt bad that I wasted so much food, but I wasn't hungry yet. The portions are large here, and the prices are average. Oh, and our waitress was pretty nice.
(4)Katy B.
Zola, I love you for brunch. Potatoes, spectacular. Mimosas, delicious. Waffles and crepes and... everything else, yum! Service can be a bit lacking at peak brunching hours, but that's generally to be expected. Sitting outside with a mimosa at Cafe Zola is where I want to be at noon on Sundays in the summer.
(5)Barbara C.
Whenever I visit Zola's, I wonder why I didn't return sooner, as they have such a unique menu, and their wait staff are always so personable. I just had their half pot, ginger ginseng herbal non-caffeinated fresh brew tea. Whew that's a lot of adjectives! Together with my Savory vegetarian swiss crepe, it was a complete and unique (and tasty) meal. My friend's salmon burger didn't look too bad either. I've never had a bad meal or poor service here. Although I usually love their dessert crepes, I passed on these today.
(4)Brian G.
This place could be good, but their prices are just outrageous. I guess they can away with it because there is often a line of folks waiting, and there are such slim pickings in Ann Arbor. My home base is in Houston - they would be out of business in a minute in TX. So I had an omelette (the house special plus avocado - it was OK not great by any means), my wife had the basic PLAIN waffle (she left half of it because it was dry) plus a side of bacon. I had a simple coffee (NOT latte or cappucino), my wife had a decaf tea. Thats is all, nothing else, nada. Including the standard 15% tip - $49 my friends - YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!!! - in the midwest, in the middle of a deep recession $50 for an omelette and a plain waffle with bacon. WHAT!!!!????
(2)Jeff B.
Not great, and certainly not worth the $95+ we spent. Food was fine but nothing very special or outstanding about the experience
(2)Trevor M.
The brunch menu was really extensive and I usually hate huge menus but it was needed for what they offer. It is all really good food and recommend the crab cake eggs benedict, it is insanely good. I have eaten here in the evening before as well, and still talk about the octopus I had there
(4)Alejandro B.
Great food and nice atmosphere. They prepare eggs in a thousand different ways. Had the Salmon Hash with Yukon Gold Potatoes and Horseradish sauce and two eggs. Really tasty! Definitely worth checking out (and enduring the wait for a table). You won't be disappointed.
(4)Julia M.
This place was absolutely DELICIOUS! We came for dinner the night before and I got the penne pasta followed by the pudding. Pasta was delicious and very comfort-food esque. Simple yet delicious. Loved dinner so much that I came back for brunch the next day! I got a café mocha (yum!), farmhouse omelet, and then my mom and I split the Black Forest waffle for dessert. Everything was so yummy - especially the waffle which is one of the best I have ever had. Ambiance/decor of the restaurant is also very fun. Everyone should come here!
(5)Shellie D.
I like the trend of this place... they try to use local and/or organic ingredients... I got the artichoke baked omelet and I wasn't really a fan (and they didn't serve fresh artichoke, it was from the jar)...baking the omelet made the eggs dry and it was more like a pie. My friends ordered the chicken sandwich, crepes and the All Americana, and they enjoyed it.
(3)I G.
Well what can I say...for the price it's all hype. Food is ok. If you want to spend this kind of money I would suggest Zingermans Road House. I ordered the Kobe Burger and it was ok but didn't leave me saying, this was a $13.95 burger!! My wife ordered the Grilled Chicken sandwich which she thought was good. However we noticed some tables with baskets of bread. I asked a young gentleman If the bread comes with certain dishes and he replied "no it's for tables with four or more". Well we saw a table with three that had the bread. Also why only tables with four or more? With the prices of the meals you certainly should give complimentary bread baskets. Just to add Zingermans Road House will give you as much bread as you want!!
(2)Maria M.
My best friend was in town and we decided to try Cafe Zola and it was great! We both really enjoyed our meal and the delicious coffee. The cafe itself is a little crowded, the servers had bumped into my chair a few times, but it does look very cute and trendy in there! We went there on a Sunday and got there at 9:30 and we were seated pretty quickly. When we left at around 10:45 it was PACKED and a very long wait! It is pretty pricey, especially for breakfast food, so I would probably only go back for special occasions, not many students can afford a $14 breakfast. Our server was very nice and made great recommendations. Overall it was a nice place to take a friend visiting from out of town :) Just get there early on weekends for breakfast!
(4)Michael G.
Had a great post Michigan commencement brunch. All 7 of us thoroughly enjoyed our meal and, despite being ultra busy, our waitperson was friendly, helpful and patient (many in our party asked for modifications of a menu item. I ordered the frittata on the menu, with spinach added at the suggestion of our waitperson. It was outstanding and was served with perfectly browned red potatoes seasoned liberally with rosemary. I also tasted the red lentil soup which was thick and savory. I wish we has more opportunities to visit AA so we could head back to Cafe Zola.
(5)Liz W.
Yes it was a bit spendier than some places and yep the service was none too speedy but seriously, I think it is good food and I am no yuppie. We needed to get out a bit, I wanted a nice place to take my mom, who can occasionally be picky. A ladies lunch/brunch if you will. One should take time to enjoy a decent day in Michigan. I warned her the service here was iffy according to some but we were not at peak hours (after lunch rush) and we had nothing but time on our hands. We decided why not... Our server was actually very charming and we liked the atmosphere. We split a smoked salmon omelette and a roasted vegetable salad. Both were made with quality ingredients and were delicious. I loved the turkish vinaigrette. I also loved sharing as it made deciding what to get oh so much easier... We both had pots of tea. I will give any restaurant that makes a nice pot of tea for me kudos. The oolong was perfectly brewed and heavenly. My mom seemed very happy with the darjeeling. We were both sad to be filled up by lunch, I think the blintz crepe was on both our minds...farmer's cheese and cherries. Yeah that would be a way to make a woman in my family happy. All in all a charming experience. I think it helped matters that they were not hugely busy and that we were not in a big rush or on any type of budget.
(4)Matt M.
My brother, his wife, and I ate at Café Zola last night, to celebrate my brother's birthday. He's a grad student at the University of Michigan and as I've visited him over the years, we've had breakfast at Zola a couple times - largely to sip their delicious cappuccinos. I've never had dinner there, and I've even heard that eating there for dinner is "pretentious." (I can't say why, I'm just parroting what I've heard.) The prices for dinner aren't cheap, and I was nervous that we'd leave feeling like we needed another meal but too broke to pay for it. However, I was very pleasantly surprised. Yes, the food is expensive, but it's not only delicious, it's also served in large quantities - my brother and his wife split a meal and it was more than enough food, especially with our appetizer and salad. They ordered steak and loved it. I had salmon and it was tasty too. Our waitress was good - opinionated, sassy, and neither too attentive nor too absent. My brother showed his ID to prove it was really his birthday, and was treated to a huge Nutella and banana crepe. The entire experience was classy, and we left feeling great about the choice we made for where to celebrate my brother's birthday. No, it isn't cheap, but the value is great.
(5)Adam S.
Excellent crepes, good, strong coffee, fair service -- tough to beat. We haven't tried the rest of the menu yet, but I have no reason to believe it is any less stellar. Probably the best brunch food we've had in A2, and among the best I've ever had. Even with the weekend crowds, we got a table in 20 min (no reservations) and were served promptly.
(5)Bob G.
My daughter is a graduate student at University of Michigan. She recommended Cafe Zola for a family dinner. We made a 7 pm reservation and were very hungry after a day of touring the school for my younger daughter who is considering applying as an undergraduate at University of Michigan. The hostess offered us the table for 4 next to the door. It was a very cold area with the door constantly being opened by customers. It also is so close to the hostess that it is more or less part of the waiting area for customers waiting for a table. We asked to wait for the next table in the main part of the restaurant. The hostess rather snidely told my wife that the next table wouldn't be open for 1-1/2 hours. This certainly was a lie and a means to force us to take the table near the door. Despite our unhappiness, we tried the table. It became clear rather quickly that it wasn't going to work for us. We asked again and the hostess repeated her lie that there were no tables other than a table for 2 where she would stuff us in. The hostess became even ruder. I told my wife and kids to find another restaurant while I chatted with the manager. I waited 10 minutes for the manager, who apparently was serving tables. She never came to see me which left me in the waiting area grumbling to the other customers. I must say that it couldn't have been handled any worse. I left quite angry. I never write restaurant reviews on blogs. However, this terrible customer service deserves making an exception.
(1)Ryan B.
Yes, this is the best brunch in A2! When first entering, I was stunned by the atmosphere. Bright light floods the dining room bringing the red out of brick walls and arches. Then I had their coffee which not only was actually fresh but was constantly refilled by waitstaff with cute little vials in hand. Then I enjoyed the best omelet I've ever had, the Frittata Zola. Not only have I never had anything like it, but I've never heard of anything like it. The portion was huge, came with a side of the best redskin potatoes I've ever tasted and also herb buttered whole grain toast. I was full the rest of the day. It seems the common complaint is the prices and the wait. I had no problem getting a table and thought the prices were well worth the quality of the food. If you're looking for a quick buttermilk pancake and standard cup of coffee, this is not your place. But if you're in for a classy cafe with zesty flavors, unique combinations and incomparable quality prepare yourself for Cafe Zola!
(5)Jason C.
This place has some great food but it's very expensive!
(4)Wade D.
How many wonderful things can I fit into a review. Crepes, omelets, french press coffee, blood orange mimosas... I think the short list would be negative comments. It's kinda pricey. But soooo worth it!
(5)Eric B.
The closest thing to a big city brunch you'll get in ann arbor, and they do a solid job. If you're looking for a french press full of Blue mountain or Kona coffee with whatever omlet, crepe, pancakes or untraditional breakfast item (like turkish eggs), this is your place and you will not be dissapointed. The environment is upscale without being too pretentious, making it my favorite upscale restaurant in town. It is also my go to place for steak in Ann Arbor!
(5)Aaron B.
This is really the kind of place I like, but this particular version is no good. They try REALLY HARD to make their food different and "special" but my experiences have been disappointing. I'm sure the yokels think it's something amazing and new and all the crap that Ann Arborittes say to make themselves feel good about living in that worthless piss-hole village, but it's mostly hype and little substance. Add on top of that the fact that the places is typically loud and uncomfortable, with sketchy service. Again, average for Ann Arbor, but there are better places of this kind in any real city that you'd go to...and the same kind of place with better food and a better atmosphere would be cheaper in a city too.
(2)Kathy L.
I'm a sucker for both asparagus and sunny-side-up eggs with toast, so I ordered the special which included those things, even though it cost $11.39. I was shocked and dismayed when my waitress brought me a plate with ~5 stalks of asparagus underneath two eggs, and some slices of bread which were probably from a loaf that was $1 at Kroger. $11.39 + tax. There wasn't anything special about it. Some people are willing to pay that, I guess (there was quite a wait to get seated), but not I, when I have the Northside Grill right down the street. Actually, the special came with potatoes too, but my server forgot to bring them to me until I finally got a hold of her (when we were finished eating), and she didn't give us a discount (in fact, barely an apology).
(2)C B.
This was my first visit to cafe zola and after looking at the menu while waiting I was very very excited. I wanted to sit all day and try most everything. The fact that there was such a long wait was also making me think I was in for the best food of my life. I wish it was! I had the farmhouse omelette-it was beautiful and there seemed to be enough filling. The ruiner-nothing was seasoned! It was bland egg wrapping olive oiled veggies, ham, and some cheese. I used ketchup to give it some flavor it needed and ate about half preferring to go for the bread basket w/ the wonderful strawberry preserves. The redskin potatoes were also just good-they were very olive oily that could of used a couple more minutes of cooking time. i did start with tomato bisque soup though and that blew my mind. so. so so good. that tipped the scales for sure. Why am i giving it 3 stars-i would totally go there again! if i do and it's the same experience i would most likely change my rating to a 2. but as of now the soup and bread along w/ experience is keeping cafe zola a positive memory!
(3)Ms.Brie C.
First time at Cafe Zola. My crepe was excellent, just as expected. My companion's salad looked quite good but we were put off by added costs, $ for tomatoes, $ for cucumbers. Since when are salads treated like pizzas? The server was not particularly friendly when we inquired if the salad toppings cost extra. Also, the smoothies sounded appealing until I noticed they were ~$7 (I'll save my funds for an affordable one at Smoothie King, thank you very much). I'd consider returning, if I could afford it.
(3)Max M.
While I can agree with many folks here about the quality of service (excellent) and the quality of the food (also excellent-GREAT brewed coffee), the reason for the 3 stars is because of the overwhelming amount of noise in the restaurant. It was really overwhelming to the point where it was difficult to hear the person sitting very close next to me. That was very distracting for me, and took away from the dining experience. We were also there with a 1 year old, who was completely over stimulated - so we spent a lot of time taking her for walks out side to not add her discomfort to the cacophony. Again, food excellent. We were there for Sunday Brunch - even with a reservation (which I am surprised they provide on a Sunday Brunch). I had an Americano Breakfast, my partner had an omelette of some sort. I had about the best cup of brewed coffee ever at a breakfast place - that was always filled, so the service was exceptional. It was a bit pricey - $12.00 for two eggs, tomatoes and some potatoes - and my exceptional but basic brewed coffee was $4.50 (wow!). We were also there with about 8 other people so it got unwieldy.
(3)Ian P.
Me: What coffee do you have today? Waitress: Brazilian, Ethiopian, Kenyan... Me: Where in Ethiopia is it from? Waitress: Look of shear terror and confusion (thinks what kind of freak asks this question)...runs off to ask. Coffee: Absolutely amazing Ethiopian Harrar (waitress told me Harupa lol). Actually the coffee was the best coffee I've had in the last 6 months. So this place gets some mad props for that. I was there at brunch and also had a Belgian waffle made with buckwheat which was quite tasty. My hetero friend couldn't stop raving about how hot the waitress was. I definitely felt like they were rushing me out though and I hate that! I wasn't going to linger all day, but I did want some conversation time over my delicious coffee. All in all a pretty good experience.
(4)Jessie S.
Wedding anniversary brunch! My husband and I decided to splurge a little bit and take ourselves out for a nice brunch to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. This was our first visit to Cafe Zola and we had read such great reviews of the place. We were given a great table in the front window. The staff was very friendly and attentive however I did not expect the menu to be so expensive. Holy crap! I ordered the champignon crepe. It was flavorful and light and covered my entire plate. The dish didn't disappoint with the amount of mushrooms in the porcini mushroom sauce. It's important to note when ordering the crepe that all you receive is the crepe, no fruit or other accompaniment. As a result, I only ate half of it as I got bored with eating so much of the same thing. Did I mention that it cost $11.95? My husband ordered the asparagus and goat cheese omelette. This dish cost $14.95 and consisted of 3 scrambled eggs overcooked in a pan then folded over grilled asparagus and goat cheese. It was served with a side of rosemary-garlic roasted red skin potatoes. There wasn't anything particularly special about this omelette. The eggs were not very fluffy. The asparagus was good, but it was simply grilled asparagus. The side of potatoes were good, but nothing out of the ordinary. I suppose I'm just confused as to what makes this dish so special that it justifies charging $15.00. We really wanted to like Cafe Zola, but it just didn't make sense as to why it is so expensive. Please note that I just moved to Ann Arbor from San Francisco and am not a stranger to paying for expensive food. However when paying $10+ for a breakfast dish there should be something about it that makes it stand out and be truly worth what you are paying. It was very disappointing to pay such an exorbitant amount for food that is nothing special, only less greasy than neighboring competitors.
(2)D L.
I had the most delicious dinner here while in Ann Arbor to visit the business school. The highlights, as I remember them: +Interesting menu +Delicious food +A good wine selection that does not resemble what one could find in a California Safeway +Good service +Good music
(5)Emma L.
a rude waitress could ruin your day
(1)Tony C.
Zola...this is easily one of the best experiences to be had in Ann Arbor. I'll get the negatives for this place right out in the open. It's popular, really popular. It's expensive, but not break the bank expensive. A few reviews have commented about the wait there and true to their word, it's atrocious. So, be wise, and make a reservation. Now, let me get to the good stuff. The food at Zola is impeccable. We've had both brunch and dinner there and perhaps we've always just ordered wisely, but we've always been impressed. My in-laws even got to eat there and they are total food snobs and really enjoyed it there. For brunch, they are known for their sweet crepes, but I'm more interested in their savory items. Their omelets are excellent. For dinner, my wife got the lamb chops and they were flavorful and tender. I think they also gave her six bones, which is an extremely large portion. The service is consistent (once you sit down). The wait staff is friendly. The bar area is hopping too. They make some of the best drinks in town. Unfortunately, the bar area is quite crowded, but if you are in need of a high quality alcohol beverage and don't mind being smushed in, go here. I'm a mojito snob and theirs hit the spot. Eat here, leave a little poorer, but with a bellyful of good food, good drinks, and a smile on your face.
(5)gina p.
Cafe Zola is not only my favorite brunch spot in Ann Arbor, but probably my favorite brunch spot EVER. Best of all possible brunches. This is not to be taken lightly. Everything on the menu is awesome, but my favorites is Turkish Eggs, sub the toast for a Zingerman's bagel. Hell. Yes. My biggest complaint is that this restaurant couldn't move with me when I left AA.
(5)Nina B.
I love this place!! Awesome brunch place...I especially recommend the omelets. Portions are large and scrumptious. Coffee drinks are wonderful, as are the steamers. Wonderful variety of food. Even though it's a popular joint, service is relatively quick.
(5)Paul D.
So, Cafe Zola. Hmmm. I have never been here for anything but the breakfast, so I can't comment on the evening meal. However, it is exactly because I have been here for breakfast that I have never returned for dinner. Starting with the positive, you simply cannot knock the food. The food is, simply put, fabulous. Omeletes, frittata, crepes (both sweet and savory), waffles are all, well, fabulous. From here things go quickly down hill. Every time I've been here the service is atrocious. Really, really bad. I have never once felt rushed. I have, however, almost always felt ignored. Good luck getting your water refilled. This brings me to another point. The coffee. I thoroughly enjoy coffee, especially coffee that has been well prepared in a French Press. Zola is one of the few places that I can think of that serves coffee this way (maybe the only one now that I really think about it). But, quite honestly they would do themselves and their patrons a favor if they never served coffee like this again. More mess than it's worth. Each time I've been I order coffee for the table in a French Press (you'd think that I'd remember that this is not a great idea, but I never do) and each time I am sorely disappointed. In closing, go for the food and don't worry about what you spend on the food because you'll really save on the tip.
(3)Cecilia P.
My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. The food is expensive, but delicious. The cocktails are the best in town, made the old-fashioned way with real sour (not some mix containg high fructose corn syrup). There's a lot of labor involved in the $8 drinks--you can see why they cost more. The food is fresh and tasty--I've been here for brunch, for romantic dates, for dinner with my friends, for drinks, for every occasion. It never fails to impress.
(5)Jon L.
Great date place, nice atmosphere and good enough food/prices to impress.
(4)Coco C.
Zola is good, but if you are going to drop a lot of cash for fancy-ish-er food, you're better off going to Eve.
(3)Chris S.
When I'm here for brunch I feel like I'm back in San Francisco. Very good food at reasonable prices. Insanely crowded at prime brunch time . Beat the long line by dining at the bar. I dig the little carafes they give you for your coffee refills. I've only had brunch here but I bet dinner isn't bad. Looks nice in the evening--dimly lit, cozy.
(4)Susan L.
Solid brunch place. Friendly service. Try the chai, you get to mix the honey and cream in yourself. Crepes are hard to come by in Ann Arbor and they make a pretty good one.
(4)Teeks L.
I grew up in New York City, so brunch is in my genes. My husband and I were visiting Ann Arbor for the weekend and decided on a whim to get brunch at Cafe Zola. We got there around 10:30am, and I expected a long wait - that's peak time at a good brunch place. But we were seated right away, and got our coffee very quickly. Our waitress was polite, quick and kept out of our way except when we needed refills. (The waitresses here are uniformly painfully beautiful, so much so that my husband was teasing me for staring). The food was AMAZING - even the english muffin that my eggs benedict came on was a fluffy, sourdough cloud. His waffle came with berries so fresh I swear they grow them in the back; the whipped cream was *not* out of a can, and the waffle itself was sweet but not cloying, light and rich at the same time. My husband's bellini was, well, just good. The only so-so thing about the experience. There were plenty of families with small kids but it wasn't too loud, we could have a normal-volume conversation. It was reasonably priced, for brunch - would be much more reasonable without the alcohol. All in all I was really impressed, and tempted to say it's the best brunch I've ever had. It was hands down the best brunch I've ever had outside NYC, no question.
(5)Alan M.
Ate there for dinner on Sunday night. Service: If I want to rush through something, I'll go to a NASCAR race or something like that. The waitress took my girlfriend's salad practically mid-bite, asked us if we wanted dessert menus halfway through our entrees, then asked if we wanted the bill just a couple of minutes later. Of course, once we were done, it took forever to get the bill (perhaps the waitress realized she was rushing us too much). If I'm paying $28 for an entree, I expect to be treated like a valued customer, not a number. Food: The bread and salads were great. The entrees...so-so. I got the scallops, which were prepared reasonably well. But there wasn't much to the dish, just scallops and red wine reduction. Compare to Pacific Rim, where one can order the scallops for the same price and get the most amazing flavor explosion. My girlfriend had the mushroom pesto ravioli. The pesto was fantastic (when isn't pesto), but the rest of the dish was merely adequate. Overall, underwhelming for Ann Arbor. I will say that I had brunch there on one previous occasion and had no complaints. Nothing spectacular, but good brunch food.
(2)John M.
3.5 stars. excellente waffles, kindly service, annoying art, sometimes lame bands. very "ann arbor".
(3)Alex K.
The Service, Food, & the Atmosphere was awesome.
(5)Ann L.
Huge menu. Good food. Nice atmosphere. Sort of pricey for the location though.
(5)Margot F.
Zola's barista/bartender finishes lattes with a swirling leaf that draws the crema into the foam cap, the chef can be seen handling the delicate crepes through a glass window into the kitchen, and the servers dress casually during the day and button up at night, but their perfectly elegant and minimalist service is as consistent as their long black aprons. The omlettes, salads, soup, and sandwiches available during the day are served either on or with Zingerman's bakehouse bread; sweet and savory crepes and waffles are also available until the tablecloths, candles, and cloth napkins appear and Zola transforms into a casual dinner restaurant with a wine list mostly just out of range for my grad student budget and entrees in the $20 range. Menu names suggest Turkish inspiration, but the havarti and stilton are unequivocally Danish and the goat cheese they like to serve baked until smooth and creamy has absolutely got to be French. Other entrees like the seafood burger and wild mushroom pasta evoke cuisines from Asia to Argentina, although the plurality of the stops on the fusion flight are in Europe. House-made dressings like the lemony, minty dressing on the house salad and the pineapple chutney served with the gulf shrimp are fantastic. Vibrant modern art, unframed and clipped to exposed pipes, brightens the exposed brick and wood decor, accented with bar-stools stained a deep red and the white and black tables and tile. Everything about Zola feels effortlessly, un-self-consciously hip and at ease in both its day and night incarnations. It's a perfect place for brunch, particularly when it's warm enough for the patio tables to come back outside, an afternoon crepe with coffee or half a pot of tea (served in a french press), or a nice dinner that won't pretend to be "fine dining," the downfall of so many other Ann Arbor restaurants in Zola's peer group.
(4)Megan C.
This review is only for the brunch at Cafe Zola, not for other meals. I've had brunch here twice now, and both times it was a disappointment. The positive things: the coffee is good, the waitress was very friendly, the potatoes that come with an omelet are delicious. The bad: The omelets here are huge and mostly flavorless. They are thick and bland. The toast we got with our meal was like a rock; it had obviously been toasted long before and just tossed on a plate for us. It's way too expensive for what you get. There are so many breakfast places in Ann Arbor that are far superior: Angelo's, Aut Bar, and Northside Grill are my favorites. Breakfast/brunch at those places is always an awesome experience. Cafe Zola just seems over-hyped and over-priced, at least for brunch. I am not a crepe person, so maybe that's where I've gone wrong; but it seems like if you offer like 15 omelets on your menu you should at least know how to make a decent one. Especially if you're charging $12 for it.
(3)Andrew W.
Very good brunch. Uses local products, including zingermans, naturally. Try the smoked salmon, Turkish eggs, other specialties. Comfortable restaurant. Service could use a little work.
(4)Derek C.
I had breakfast here with a few friends on a Sunday morning. It was very crowded, I recommend getting there early if you don't want to wait. One of the things I was most impressed with was their tea and coffee selections. We opted to go for a french press of some Costa Rican coffee, it was very good. I had the farmhouse omelette which came with some amazing potatoes. Overall it was fantastic dish and rather large. The atmosphere and service were both relaxed. We didn't feel rushed at all and were able to take our time. Definitely recommend this place to be added to the breakfast staples of Ann Arbor.
(4)Chad C.
Pretty good food, but not so consistently good service. Some servers seem a little depressed. Or maybe that's the "we're a serious food establishment" attitude. If they had absolutely outstanding food to back it up, then maybe they could get away with it. Omelets often can be dry. Simple, but classy ambiance, and the french press coffee is a plus!
(3)CrapulentMoose ..
Zola is my must-do breakfast spot in Ann Arbor. Any one of the many different sections of the menu would be enough to bring me back, but add them all together and you've got perfection. One of my favorites is the Turkish Brunch. It comes with a selection of cheeses, breads, olives, egg, tomato slices, cucumber, raspberry preserves, a sweet pastry, and half a french press of tea or coffee. I highly recommend the masala chai, as it's the real deal (aka NOT from concentrate) and comes with a small bottle of warmed milk or soy milk and a little pitcher of honey. But, if that's not your bag, get anything else and it will be great too. Anyone who doesn't like the food at this place is a McNugget-Head.
(5)Michelle D.
I've eaten here a few times and each time has been pretty good, but, and this is par for the course with restaurants in this area, Cafe Zola isn't as great as people make it out to be. Cafe Zola looks and feels like a cute bistro you'd find in San Francisco or New York, serves "seasonal" dishes and charges a fairly significant amount ($13 for an omelette) however their dishes don't quite measure up to what their menu promises. Last week I ordered an artichoke omelette and what I received was an overcooked frittata with frozen vegetables covered with melted cheese. Not exactly gourmet. If you're going to make seasonal dishes, use seasonal ingredients, not ones you have to buy frozen. So, if you're in downtown Ann Arbor for brunch Zola is probably the best way to go, but keep your expectations low. You're definitely not getting what you're paying for.
(3)Ash B.
I just learned about this last weekend when I was in Ann Arbor for a grand total of 3 days (4 nights). I went to Cafe Zola 3 out of the 3 days. I don't do stuff like that under normal circumstances, but the waffles were wonderful, macchiato magnificent, and omelets exquisite. (I can't think of an O word meaning "amazing" right now) If you go, eat the SNOWFLAKE WAFFLES. Would go back again in a jiffy.
(5)C L.
Near perfect. I took my parents to this charming and bustling place on a Sunday when they were visiting from out of town. They serve mostly omelettes, crepes and waffles. I would avoid anything that sounds like an odd pairing (the ratatouille crepe I had falls in this group) but most regular brunch fare looked delicious. My parents had the salmon hash and the salmon omelette, both were great in terms of flavor and presentation. The waitress was also spectacularly patient and friendly. The one thing they can improve on is wait time - it looks like servers were getting confused with orders, and this could be because of how busy it got. Other than that - this is my new go-to brunch place whenever people visit.
(4)Kim L.
The brunch menu was great, but the service was poor. My eggs were undercooked when I asked for them to be over-hard. My husband's food was good and the smoothie was good, but nothing too special. It's also very crowded and loud. Be prepared to wait even if you have a reservation.
(3)Jeff W.
Excellent breakfast and lunch, the dinners feel pricey for Ann Arbor. But who's going to argue once you finish off the $14 Kobe burger? :-) This is a good place to relax with close friends or a date.
(4)Christie M.
I've been here several times already but today was very very bad. Started off with a super rude hostess. My husband went in to get a table for us and I waited outside with baby in stroller. Hostess seated the couple in front of us and then ignore my husband and seated group that came in behind. If my husband didn't speak up I think she would have continue to pass us up. I always get the same thing here. Their strawberry and banana waffles were my favorite. Today my waffle was flat and had holes. One smoosh with my fork and it looks like crepes. Sad. Very sad. Cafe Zola has always been the first place I hit up when heading to Ann Arbor. Now I'm lost and don't know where to go. By the way....we waited a bit long for food. Why bring out bread after our meal I have no clue. But my 1 yr old would have appreciated if the bread was out same time with drinks. They get 3 stars just because I'm hoping today was a fluke.
(3)Gary L.
Really should be a shade under 3 stars. Breakfast sounds more fun than dinner. My recent experience just didn't match the price. My starter was a one heirloom tomato slice, tiny halved cherry tomatoes and small wedges of zebra tomatoes topped with a small scoop of fresh mozzarella drizzled with olive oil, sea salt and basil-it was tasty but pricey at $10. Two slices of bread in a basket was served with a dollop of herbed butter and assorted brined olives. A locally made Owens (?) Ale was recommended and a refreshing golden brew for the Summer evening-$5. I tried the Kobe burger, ordered it medium rare but was served medium with no trace of pink with a small veneer of melted Stilton cheese. The meat did not have any seasoning needing salt and pepper but just tasted like a soft, greasy burger. The french fries were nicely seasoned and hot and crisp when they arrived at the table, but were served in a stainless shake cup that allowed the steam to quickly wilt the fries inside. Premium priced at $15. The grilled onion was not really caramelized and just barely touched on the grill. The spicy mayo was good on the burger and fries, but a second condiment of special ketchup was odd-tasting. The mango pineapple salsa was tasty, but I ate it separately instead of topping the burger. The server was very nice, but would disappear for long periods. It was quiet in the dining room with additional tables outside being covered by three servers. Service could be more attentive for the price you pay. Dinner was decent, but not a great value for the money-you should probably stick to the morning selections at Cafe Zola.
(3)courtney a.
By far my favorite breakfast place when visiting my home town Ann Arbor. There are only a few things that set them back from being perfect. 1) I give them kudos for seeking out a variety of specialty coffee to chose from. However the menu doesn't change often and the restaurant consistently serves the coffee over extracted, hiding the nuances in the flavor of what could be an exciting cup of coffee. 2) I ordered an open faced omelet that I had once before and remembered loving. However this time the the yams were thrown on top of the well cooked frittata COLD AND UNSEASONeD. the waffles are unbeatable!! And the fruit is always fresh.
(4)Dawn L.
Cafe Zola is my favorite place to have brunch in Ann Arbor, for two reasons: 1. They have the best crepes in Michigan. I was in Paris a few years ago, and when I came back I was longing for authentic crepes--then I discovered Zola, which has wheat batter for savory crepes, which is a very French style. Try the salmon crepe or the crepe with mozzarella, tomato, and basil. 2. They have excellent espresso. And they do latte art! The staff is always friendly, though the wait for brunch on a Sunday afternoon can be really long. In the evening, the restaurant turns into an upscale melange of French, American, and even Asian cuisine. Lunch isn't expensive, but expect to shell out a decent amount of money for dinner ($25-35). It's worth the occasional trip--I've had dinner here twice, and each time the meal was incredible. My first dinner here was at least two years ago now, and I can still tell you what I ate (lobster ravioli). I dreamed of it for days.
(5)Kristina D.
I used to come to this place years ago and I've seen the progressive change in the menu over the years. I recently went back to Ann Arbor for the holidays and went to Zola's twice. Once for brunch and once for dinner. Dinner is good, the menu is not too extensive. I like that though, sometimes too many choices makes my head spin. What I really liked was the drinks menu. My friends and I decided to have martinis so we each ordered a different one. They ranged in price from $8-$10, but that what you get in Ann Arbor. When the waitress brought us our drinks she brought the shakers and poured the martinis into the glass for us and left the shakers. We each got about 2 1/2 martinis from each shaker....nice. Love getting my money's worth. I had a really nice arugula and grilled pear salad and crab cakes. They were both very good. My friend got the antipasto platter and it was sooo good. The prociutto was to die for. My other friend had a salad and a really good mushroom appetizer (can't remember it exactly). Brunch was also very good. The menu is huge and extensive. Crepes, omelets, smoothies, coffees, teas...it goes on and on. The coffee is delicious, they really get some good beans. I settled on the smoked salmon platter. It was smoked salmon, onions, capers, cream cheese, capers and a bagel. Really good and simple. My friend had one of the crepes and my other friend had the french toast. All of it was great. I highly recommend this place for any meal. It is not too big, so it can get crowded, but it's worth it.
(4)Melissa R.
Cafe Zola gets very packed during Sunday brunch. Can't blame them but it gets very loud and sometimes you feel a bit rushed as the people waiting for a table stare you down. Luckily, that is the only downside. The food is VERY good. I love the freshness of their fruits and veggies. Their specials are always especially yummy. If it wasn't so loud, I'd go much more often.
(3)Giggly C.
Excellent brunch fare. I loved the black forest waffle. the omlet my friend ate was savory and delicious. And how wonderful to get your ID checked when you haven't been 21 in over 10 years? ahhh......
(5)Lisa W.
Cafe Zola is the spot to hit if you're trying to take your family out for a great brunch (because the dinner aspect can stand to be missed). As far as drinks, they have mimosas which many people like. I personally enjoy a Sharp's mixed with lemonade much better -- try it. They also have a vodka gimlet martini which introduced me to a world of vodka gimlets, and I learned almost immediately that only Cafe Zola has that art down pat. This martini cannot be duplicated anywhere else. For brunch, all I can say is they have a beautiful assortment of crepes and omlettes -- all of which are a safe bet. The omlettes are huge and unless you like eating three meals at once, try opting for a half order (which is awesome that they even do that). My favorite, however, are their WAFFLES. There is nowhere else in Ann Arbor that makes waffles like they do. It's hard even to find fresh hot waffles, but this place makes them so heavenly and tasty that it is the first thing I begged to eat after I gave birth to my son. Dinner here isn't as amazing as the brunch, but they do have this phenomenal plate of mussels with chorizo. It is so delicious. That is the only dinner item I like, but it's an excellent choice. I thought this review was done but I've forgotten several other aspects: the coffee is good, you can create your own au lait. They have milkshakes that are intense concoctions of creamy goo. The atmosphere is nice and light -- local artist's works, exposed brick walls, bamboos that have been growing since I was a freshman there, and brunch tables that moonlight into dinner tables with white tablecloth. This is probably the safest place to refer someone who wants to eat a nice meal before 3pm.
(4)Maisie W.
The hostess did not give a reliable wait time for a table which is disingenuous and annoying and most importantly--poor hospitality. It was a busy brunch service and they were slammed--as they always are--but being honest with guests to say, "it will be at least 20 minutes, would you like to leave a number so we can call you?" at the time we first put our name down would have at least given us the chance to stroll around while we waited. Instead we waited impatiently, getting more and more frustrated and angry that our table was "almost ready, just a few more minutes." Next time please just be real.
(1)Ana N.
Went for brunch - terrible and rude service, the food was extremely average and they messed up the order! Sent it back and received the same thing again so just left it. Such a shame because I'd heard great things - don't bother.
(1)Vivienne D.
Went for lunch on a superrrr busy day. I expected a wait time for 2 people, but we were seated right away. The atmosphere is super chill and lively, place looked really clean as well! The menu is very complete, they offer omelets, crepes, platters, salads, sandwiches.. everything you could ever ask for! They even have a wide selection of teas and coffees if you desire a liquid accommodation. Food: Ordered salmon cake, grilled veggie salad, mushroom crepe (I forgot the true name.. but ordered it through recommendations on yelp) My partner told me his salmon cake could have used a bit more seasoning and I agreed. It was nice and moist, but a bit one dimensional in terms of flavor. The eggs were perfectly cooked though. I ordered the grilled veggie salad (because I am a health nut..) and it was PERFECT.. the dressing that went with it was delicious and balanced and the veggies were so flavorful. I dream of this salad... The mushroom crepe was nice!... Wasn't what I expected but I am glad I tried it out. The filling was 95% mushroom and had a exquisite white wine sauce with it (i think.) Maybe I am used to softer sweet crepes, but the savory crepe was pretty sturdy and hard. Very interesting flavors, try it out! crusty Bread + herb butter = super win. crusty bread+ herb butter+ jam = epic win. I wish I could have tried the coffee, but they seemed so busy I didn't want to bother them! Try this place out, it's lovely!
(4)Rebecca S.
Had breakfast here for the first time. Nice atmosphere, clean. The menu is extensive and all sounded quite good. The two of us each got an egg dish (frittata and omelette). And they were good. I felt the frittata needed an added texture-creamy goat cheese and creamy sweet pots...maybe pine nuts? I don't know, but a crunch perhaps. The artichoke omelette was perfect. We shared a crepe. The Normandie was good in concept but the actual crepe was a bit tough and chewy, not tender. Filling and toppings were yum. Drinks were good. OJ, coffee, and an out of this world smoothie with OJ, carrot and mango. Overall a good meal with good portion sizes, albeit very pricey.
(4)E B.
The food is unique and delicious, and the ingredients are of very high quality. The mimosas and bloody marys are also wonderful. However, it is ridiculously overpriced, even for Ann Arbor, and the owner is quite rude to the patrons. It is an Ann Arbor staple probably worth trying (especially if you can go on a weekday morning when it is less busy and you are likely to have better service), but expect to be made to feel as though you should be honored to be dining there, not the other way around.
(3)Sheyla C.
I like Zola. I've been here 3 times; brunch, meal and drinks. I prefer this place for drinks and crepes, than for a good meal. My husband found one of his fav's beers here: Pirate! and I had one my favorite cocktails: Bellini! Service and ambiance are okay, is not a lounge.....is a pretty not fancy restaurant/cafe.
(3)Leanna G.
The ambiance is fantastic and it's a lovely place to sit with a friend over drinks and a long quiet dinner. Their cocktails list looks positively exceptional, especially for someone like me who prefers flavorful drinks that aren't martinis. I had the wild mushroom pasta and it was positively delicious. The only quibble I have with this place is that it seemed overpriced for what you get. The food is indeed excellent, but the mushroom pasta wasn't $23 excellent, and the kir royale wasn't $8 excellent. Also, who are the people that think Cafe Zola is a $$ restaurant rather than a $$$ restaurant? I was a little unpleasantly surprised by the price tag when I showed up!
(4)KJ H.
great for any occasion. for brunch: the best free bread i've had ANYwhere. it's from zingerman's, but somehow, it tastes better when you're sitting at cafe zola. i swear. there's a difference. i love the open-faced omelets. you can see exactly what you're eating, and that makes it even more delicious. waffles with strawberry butter! for dinner: no specific recommendations, but it's good all around. great place for a date -- nice but not TOO nice, so it's affordable without being cheap.
(4)Julie C.
My review is more about one bad experience that I had, rather than the food here. I went with a small group of friends, since a few were moving out of town. Almost all of us ordered the Kobe burger, which was tasty. And the house fries were delicious. However, the waitress spilled a cup of red sauce on my new dress, that I was wearing to a meeting right after lunch. I ended up spending most of my time in the bathroom with a glass of club soda, trying to salvage the dress. I emerged to inhale the burger and fries, with little time to talk to my friends who were leaving. Then I had to run home to change for my meeting. Not worth the $20 tab. Okay, that's my vent.
(1)Yuliya H.
After Eve closed, this is now probably my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. I have been here for brunch and dinner several times and have had an excellent experience every time. Love their wine list, but most recently I tried the Midnight Manhattan Martini and loved it. I generally don't like super sweet drinks and this one was perfect: a mix of bitter and slightly sweet. Yum! My favorite dinner entree here is the Hawaiian Sea Bass (Pan roasted Mero in Miso) - it's fantastic!!! The best sea bass I've ever had anywhere! Every bite is an explosion of flavor in your mouth. Love the atmosphere and ambiance. 5 stars all around!!
(5)T V.
Had a what the heck moment here when I ordered $15 French toast only to discover that maple syrup was not included, though I could get some for $3.50 more. That seems like poor form to me. So I ate my French toast with butter only.... Other than that, it was a cute place. Service was on the slow side, but it was busy. Everyone else enjoyed their food. Whatever.
(2)Benjamin M.
Been here a couple times for breakfast and once for dinner. Large menus are often a warning sign and this place has one of the largest. The omelettes are decent. The smoked salmon hash is one dimensional and over-salted. Oddly, they wouldn't poach the eggs, despite offering eggs benedict on the same menu. The crepes are mostly good, but I wouldn't get the salmon one. There's nothing horribly offensive about the food, but everything is about $5-$10 more than it should be, including the hot tea, which costs an astounding $8 a pot (!) and is sadly nothing special. This place gets away with charging top dollar for mediocre fare because there's too little competition in downtown Ann Arbor. Zingerman's Roadhouse is probably a bit too far out of the way for most of the regulars, but if you have the means and the will, it's a far more satisfying (and shockingly less expensive) option.
(2)Carrie L.
There's more to a restaurant than just the food. Both of the stars I give this are just for the French Toast - which was good but not to die for. The rest of the experience would certainly not make me want to go back. The atmosphere was SO loud, and the seating was so close, I could barely talk to the person I was with. That may be good when you're out on the town for a Saturday night but certainly not what you want on a Friday morning before you've had your coffee. The thing I really hated was almost $7 (6.50) for an Orange Juice! I've paid less in Manhattan. That price, along with the total price of my bill ($54 for breakfast for 2 with tip!) is just plain rude to your guests.
(2)Nina N.
I'm actually just coming back from bunch at Zola. Yes, it's expensive. But I'll definitely be coming back in the near future. Service is slow, but I actually preferred it that way. The food is delicious and it was SPECTACULAR to sit outside, enjoy my meal and have a great conversation with a friend. If you go for brunch, definitely order a french press. And a mimosa after your meal if you're feel extra saucy ;)
(4)N P.
This would be the place I go to for a special evening in Ann Arbor. I love the creativity of the menu and I typically tend to always end up with dessert at all times of the day here because it is so consistently unhealthy and good lol (I run after so it's ok lol). I do love their desserts and particularly the crepes. It's just a great place overall. It's a great date place and you see couples in love and couples just getting started and you see families with college students here to celebrate holidays or just being able to visit. I love the interior and the ambience. We've had some average hostesses but the waitstaff nearly always has been so polite and friendly. You guys really make the place what it is. I read here that they are opening another location and I will check that out but please don't skip this one too. I haven't been back in a few months but if i need a date place I will go back soon.
(5)Yasmin E.
LOVE! This place is so homey and the food is SUPERB! seriously, ANY omelet that you order is an amazing choice (I've tried them all). Add home fries to your order to experience nirvana. EXCELLENT brunch spot or place to grab dessert with friends. Ambiance is warm and semi-exotic. I've eaten in brunchspots all over the East Coast. Aside from Sabrina's in Philly, nothing to date comes close to Zola!
(5)Ali B.
I would give Cafe Zola 3 stars for their food but their service is absolutely miserable. During our first visit to this restaurant, we were quoted a 30-40 minute wait for a table for brunch and we ended up waiting an hour and 15 minutes. Once seated, we were asked to get up and move (literally move) our table, my friend was accosted by several servers (full body spray with cleaner while an adjacent table was being cleaned, nearly hit in the face with multiple plates, generally rude servers, etc.). Finally, about 15 minutes after paying our bill, while we were finishing our beverages, we were actually asked to leave. That was the breaking point...it was overall, very disappointing. I will not be back to this restaurant.
(1)Zachary W.
Great brunch place. I've had the Waffles and the Turkish Eggs and enjoyed both a lot.
(5)Chelsea A.
What a bummmmmmer! The food here is GREAT. I just won't drive all the way to Ann Arbor from West Bloomfield to be treated like shit. The waitstaff are clearly young. I don't blame them for being terrible servers, I blame their boss for not mentoring them. I waited tables and did catering from 14 to 23, and never acted as goofy as the kids working here, due to it simply not being allowed by my manager, boss etc.. I assume not all the servers are awful, but after having to walk out more than once due to literally being ignored for more than 20 minutes ( I even politley asked the hostess to get my waitress 2 times on a day when there were 3 tables filled), I am DONE with Cafe Zola. What a shame, the food is really very good. If you don't mind taking a gamble on service, it is worth a try. If I lived close by I would come here again, but I rarely go to this city, so I guess it's my loss.
(1)S P.
I went here Friday morning with my boyfriend. I ordered the bagel and lox style dish, which I think they called the 'salmon platter' or something like that. It was really underwhelming for $16. A regular toasted bagel, some cream cheese, lox, capers, and veggies were arranged on a plate for me to put together myself. The problem is that the veggies were thick cut slices of cucumber, tomato, red onion, and a big leaf of lettuce. It was exactly the kind of thing provided at BBQ events where you serve yourself a hamburger at a picnic in a park. They also put two weird lemon slices on the place but I couldn't do anything but make a mess with them. Also the bagel wasn't great...just a bagel, and served a bit too long after it was toasted (regular toasted bagels have a small window of time in which they are really tasty). I'm assuming that there are other things here to try that might be better, but my boyfriend said his meal, a portobello sandwich, was nothing to write home about. With prices like that I was hoping for something more exciting (which I think is reasonable...I've found a few places that put lots of work into every dish, down the the steak sides or house salad).
(2)Snezana S.
Amazing place. I loved the european atmosphere inside. The food was excellent, I had the belgian waffle with wild berries and cream and my husband had an omelette which came with roasted patatos and homebaked bread. We both left smiling and very happy with everything we tried. I think they have a great selection of food, I recommend it with all my heart!
(5)Angelina V.
Excellent! Always really busy, and rightfully so. Great and unique cuisine.
(4)Bridget K.
An actress friend of mine was shooting part of her latest romantic comedy in Ann Arbor so I made the journey from Detroit to meet for lunch. We landed on Cafe Zola thanks to a suggestion from her hair stylist based in Ann Arbor. We walked right in because it was already 2 pm. We had passed the lunch rush. Our server was new but she did a great job! We both got the Turkish lemonade with was good but pretty sugary. The entre was pretty good and a nice sized portion. My friend got one of the soup specials because of the great bread. She was not disappointed.
(4)Kim G.
Brunch you say? I'm in. I realized a lot of places in Ann Arbor have exposed brick and nice artwork. When we arrived, they took our name and had us wait at the bar as we ordered some coffee. The best thing was when our name was called, they brought over all 4 coffees to our table for us! I love coffee with my savory entree of choice and this time it was the Turkish Eggs. The spinach fused into the egg white, with a block of feta cheese nestled in between the two yolks, and a burst of color from the ripe tomato slices and kalamata olives. I was intrigued, and it was filling. The portions are pretty large here, and you'll probably have to take your side of potatoes home (and I love that it's a side of potatoes and not toast)! A cafe to enjoy, and the menu is extensive. I even got a peek into the men's room where the mirror has a round lightbulb to frame your face. Am I the first to mention this important detail?
(4)Amanda L.
My all time favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. What's not to love? Excellent brunch - crepes, omelettes, french toast, turkish delights, and super delicious coffee. The dinner is just as good, if not better. Only issue is that because it is so amazing, there is always a long wait for brunch - be prepared to wait 45+ mins, depending on when you get there. It's also very crowded and loud during brunch time. Dinner is much more intimate.
(5)Mark S.
Having been a regular at Zola's for breakfast once a week with friends for the better part of a year, we finally looked at each other and wondered what the hell we were doing! The service had steadily gone downhill to the point where at times we wondered if our server was even still in the building. And $6.50 for a large orange juice,... really,..?? The endless cup of coffee is nice, but at the end of the day, you're paying a lot of money for a mediocre breakfast. We've since started on the weekly breakfast tour hitting the other joints around town, and sufficed to say, we're having a blast! To be fair, we have not eaten at Zola's for lunch or dinner.
(2)Rebecca L.
Brunch 9-16-12 Visiting MI Great atmosphere, good menu options, good service! Despite being pretty packed at 1pm for brunchers on Sunday, we were seated in about 10 minutes and the service that followed was great! We ordered: Smoked Salmon-my friend really liked it but to be honest it didn't look like anything special. Just your standard salmon, bagel, capers, and creme fraiche. Crepe Zola-(opinion of friend that ordered it)mediocre. Not good or bad but lacking some serious flavor. I didn't try it myself but it did look like there wasn't enough basil. I wonder about the tomatoes they use. They looked like steak tomatoes--which are usually watery and not used when making a Caprese salad which is what the Zola is inside of a crepe. Also the moz looked a little yellow and so maybe wasn't the fresh also used with salad. Crepe Champignon-My dish and it was great! I love mushrooms and this was super yummy. Not too heavy a dish--as in it isn't cheesy or really very creamy. I would come back for this one for sure. Also had the potatoes (good!) and the fruit (very fresh and great selection---no overripe melon ruining the bowl as so often happens. Is cantaloupe just that cheap?) Drinks: Mimosas-pricey but I do believe they were made with fresh squeezed juice so I understand the price Kir-white wine poured over blackberry (?) liqueur. This is a good option if you don't want something too sweet as the liqueur is more tart. One star deducted for a combo of mediocre crepe zola and the price of the meal. The entrees were too expensive. Its just a fact. My mushroom crepe was something like $13 and the fruit was $5. Drinks were $9.50. Nothing on the menu was priced reasonably. (and I am from Chicago!)
(4)Christine F.
We have a few friends in Ann Arbor, and the last few times we've been through this stretch we've gotten dinner at Zola. It's always been very busy when we've gone. Service has always been good. Food has always been tasty. I've had the wild mushroom pasta. It's pasta (I presume fresh) made with a mushroom cream sauce, asparagus and a basil-walnut pesto with herbed goat cheese. Just dreamy. So dreamy. It's as good as it sounds. Way back, in the days of yore, I had a lemon/caper fish, which was also very good. The pasta was more memorable, though. I am a carb fiend... This place is a delicious place for dinnah. Very parent friendly, as well.
(4)Jamie V.
Absolutely delicious food and drinks. It can be a bit pricy but the food and beverages are totally worth it! The crepes are great and the cocktails are yummy! The coffee is fantastic too. It will not disappoint!
(5)Joshua G.
The waffles and coffee are excellent! They also have fresh oj and a great selection of teas. Wonderful Omlettes. If you are looking for lunch the salmon burger is amazing and doesn't fall into the category of being a fishy tasty sandwich. The salmon is ground like hamburger meat and the malt fries compliment it well
(5)Bethany H.
They raised their prices and lowered their value!
(2)Anne I.
I've been here for brunch and for dinner. A little pricey, but definitely good place for brunch. Dinner is, eh, so-so. I ordered a lox omelette for brunch, and since I was with friends, we ordered fresh fruits for the table. They were delicious, and my omelette was great. On another occasion, I stopped by for dinner and ordered a salmon dish. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best I'd had either. It was really rich and kind of bland. The service was friendly and attentive when I was there, both times. The atmosphere of Cafe Zola is pretty nice; a little fancier and chic than the usual restaurant, so perfect for evening dates and morning get-togethers. Although I'm not sure about the price, I'm guessing it wouldn't be bad for nice drinks for girls-night-out either. If I'm not going for brunch, then I'd go for the ambiance.
(3)Beth H.
The food is consistantly good, but the service and time between ordering and receiving is poor. when going for a weekday lunch hour, they should hire more staff so people can get service and eat within an hour. Have been there 3 times this year alone, and have waited a solid hour between ordering our salads and getting them on the table. On one such visit we asked for bread during the wait because we were starving. The waitress said our food doesn't come with bread, and she held her ground when we contested, so what comes with our salads... bread. So if you don't mind incompetence, and a long wait, the food is good. But then again, you can get a salad most places downtown. Oh and don't expect to get any beverage refills.
(2)Sarah W.
This place has so many reviews because it has pretty good food and good atmosphere. It's a clean cut place with the ambiance of a high class cafe. Nice wrap around bar where you can grab a drink or have a coffee. I have been here for brunch and dinner. i have to say the brunch beats dinner hands down. Some of the best things here are the vanilla latte, Turkish brunch , and any of the crepes (savory or sweet). The Turkish brunch gives you your choice of coffee or tea, a plate of cheese, eggs, tomatoes and a basket of all kinds of breads and pastries. It's enough for two people. Make sure you come here early on weekends, there is going to be a wait for sure! Even though the food is best at brunch, it is still a great place to come at night if your out on a date or need a small intimate dinner. There is also outdoor seating in the summer. And don't forget you can get their coffee to go, grab a chocolate croissant too.
(4)Saleem M.
Brunch was hit or miss for my table of 4. My friends' bloody marys took 15 minutes, and when my latte hadn't come by 20 minutes, it was explained to me that "espresso drinks sometimes take a bit of time." I would have appreciated the real response, "Oh I forgot to put it in, I'll get right on it". The food took forever, and two of my friends did not enjoy it at all. The restaurant is redeemed by a visit I made a week later for dinner, which was much more pleasant (if not expensive)
(3)Jeremy M.
I visited this place with a couple friends who live in Michigan and raved about this place and whereas my main dish was just ok, everything else, food, beverage & atmosphere, was amazing and I look forward to trying something else next time I venture that way. I ordered the Frittata Zola which is an Italian open faced omelet that had sweet potato cubes, goat cheese and a type of fresh croutons on top. The lineup sounded outstanding and was very fresh but I felt like the eggs or other ingredients should've been seasoned with something. It had a very bland taste for all of those ingredients and my assumption is it didn't have a pinch of salt or pepper. Now on to the rest which isn't much. The dish I ordered came with some homestyle fries that were amazing. I literally could've just sat there and eaten those alone all day and it's been a while since I felt that way about a potato. The dish also came with some baguette type toast where it and the butter was great. And lastly, the freshly squeezed OJ was the best I'd ever had and I can only imagine they squeezed it for me moments before bringing it to the table, not earlier that morning. It was that good.
(4)ting b.
Major fan of this place. Never been here for brunch, which I heard is THE time to go, but I've had dinner here twice. First time I had a salmon burger, which was good but not amazing. The second time was amazing. I shared a mussels fado appetizer, the blackened salmon with portabello ravioli, and the herb rubbed bricked roasted chicken with lemon garlic sauce. YUUMMM!!! Literally, we didn't say anything for like 20 something minutes as we stuffed our faces. Also, the service is really great and the atmosphere very casual yet classy. Whoever was in charge of the decor has a strong streak of good taste. Another plus is that the prices are rather reasonable. I'm definitely coming back here again or taking visitors from out of town here.
(5)nate c.
I've never once had a merely adequate meal at Zola. Good meals tend toward the outstanding, bad ones make you swear up and down that this is the last time you'll be stupid enough to trust your hangover to this kitchen. In brief... Yes, yes, YES!: top-notch wait staff (lately, anyway), the salt and grease explosion that is the Turkish brunch, some very crabby crab cakes, and extra horseradishy Blood Marys. Probably the most pleasant interior of any restaurant in Ann Arbor. For shame: $6 (I swear to god) "market price" orange juice, scattered kitchen incompetence (solid yolks on poached eggs; risible, insubstantial waffles). Also, as even my cat knows, it is essential that there be _two_ towers of egg on any benedict.
(3)Patrick M.
I'm giving Cafe Zola four stars because my experience there was OK. I enjoyed that the place was very busy, but I was able to get in without a wait. The service was great, my server was very helpful and nice even with the place being so busy. The food was ok but had a lot of potential. I had the Turkish Eggs which I think the eggs were way over cooked. So much so the feta cheese got to be very dry. My wife had a omelet it was basically goat cheese, a big slab of eggs and onions. Good ingredients but not very good in my opinion. I do plan to go back because the food could be better I plan to look at suggestions on yelp before I go next time.
(4)Christopher L.
Oatmeal is fine Turkish eggs were ok at best Their free bread is incredible
(2)Nicole P.
I guess I won't be a hipster and put down a place that has had more positive reviews in reputable publications like the NY Times than most any other restaurant in this area but...I like it. I've been here twice at this point; both times for weekend brunch. It was extremely busy both days, but there was little to no wait. Yes, it gets crowded in this place and there is very little room to move around. If you have a problem with small walkways, this isn't your place. If you're familiar with the words "excuse me", check it out. Both times (because I'm apparently an old man who enjoys a routine) I had the Crepe Zola. It was great and tasted just as good the second time as it had the first time. My friends tried the Florentine Crepe and the Ratatouille Crepe, as well as a house salad, some sort of side order of red skin potatoes, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, espresso, and Turkish coffee. Having two grown men tell me that they were surprisingly full after a crepe, added to the fact that I was unable to finish either of mine (each on separate visits), makes me feel like the crepes are indeed wholesome and good. From what I heard about the beverages, they're pretty impressive if you consider yourself knowledgable in coffee/espresso. I'm not a big dog so I stayed on the porch and had raspberry iced tea. Cool place altogether. I will definitely return.
(4)Mitch M.
In a word: Pretentious. This place typically has a long wait to get food (Ann Arbor is filled with pretentious yuppies who eat this stuff up), and after the usually rude wait staff has seated you prepare your eyes for a menu that is lacking in almost every way. Oh, except in price. They sure know how to take every dollar they can from people. Essentially, you're paying for the status of saying "I went to Cafe Zola for brunch" ... and if you're in such desperate need to feel good about yourself that way, why not at least have some enjoyable food? I'm not saying their food is bad, per say, it's just an ... acquired taste. What's most disappointing is that they cater exclusively to the yuppie crowd and if the kind of food these people eat isn't what you're looking for, why go to their yuppie treehouse? There is a restaurant in the South Loop in Chicago called Yolk which is similar in some ways, but has better food, better prices and a better staff. If you're from Chicago and know of Yolk and go to Cafe Zola expecting similarities, prepare to be greatly disappointed. I truly wish Cafe Zola would take some lessons from Yolk. I've been here for brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks... A lot of my friends like it (and these friends are as stuck up as they come). After paying $15.00 for a waffle last time I went, I decided it was time to just say no. I encourage anyone who hasn't been to do the same: just say no to Cafe Zola.
(1)Julie H.
Ehhh... Maybe we ordered the wrong things...or my palate wasn't too thrilled...thinking back, we had one of their savory crepes - the ratouielle and it really didn't have much flavor. We also ordered a frittata - which didn't taste like anything to me either... Plus - they're on the pricey side....next time, I'll have a dessert crepe... Till then, 2 stars for their endearing space.
(2)Taryl M.
Stopped in for breakfast on a Friday morning and it was surprisingly busy! I thought about getting an orange juice but $5.50 for a small glass I decided to pass! I ordered the French toast on cinnamon raisen bread and it was delicious! It didn't come with any sides which was a bit of a bummer since personally I would have preferred a smaller portion with a side. Overall I really liked the vibe and character of the restaurant and would definitely return if back in Ann Arbor!
(4)Ashley Z.
My husband and I went for brunch on a Sunday morning around 10:30am. He ordered a coffee and I ordered a decaf latte, both were wonderful and came quickly. We were really hungry and couldn't make up our minds right away so we decided to split a croissant ($3) while we kept reading the menu. It was a huge, delicious, almond croissant from a local bakery (The Croissant Shop). It was definitely a good idea to munch on while sipping our coffee and choosing our meal. He ended up getting the Savory Complete Crepe and I got the Kendrick's Favorite Crepe. I grew up eating very sweet crepes with strawberries, powdered sugar and the fix'ns but I really enjoyed this light crepe. I got a side of strawberries because I wasn't sure if it would've been too plain on it's own. It really didn't need the strawberries afterall. We were both starving and left full. In fact, I'd say that in the future, we could've gotten coffee, split a croissant and a single crepe dish and left satisfied. We really enjoyed sitting outside and our wait was only 10 minutes. (It was really busy). The only thing I'd change is that our waitress was not wearing very much clothing. That seemed kinda odd and distracting. Otherwise, great service and great food! We will be back!
(5)Sutirtha B.
I was out here for dinner with 3 colleagues of mine from the university for dinner. I did not have a good experience at all at the restaurant though I will acknowledge that my fellow diners may have had a somewhat better experience than I had. What did not go well: A: Service: Not much to complain about, other than the fact that they took away our bread plates even when we were not done with having bread. All of my 3 colleagues ended up taking the bread and having it without a plate in front. That could have been better. And the other thing in terms of service which was a bummer was that we were on official business and our admin person had made reservations with the restaurant and had arranged to have it paid by P-card (the University of Michigan's payment system for vendors). And yet when one of us was about to sign the bill, the waitress came up and said that the P-card number wasn't correct. Knowing our admin person, it is unlikely that she had made a mistake and it is much more likely that the restaurant had not gotten it right. But finally the food itself. The portions were OK but it was my main entree which killed the whole thing for me. I had ordered scallops with spinach and there is just no other way to say it - the scallops were charred pretty bad. When I bit into the first one, I was quite surprised to see that it was charred but then as I took a second one, I realized that the same was true of it as well. And then for all of my remaining scallops, I tried to remove the portions which were charred and have the rest. Doesn't work so well, in case you didn't know. And so, I ended up having 6-8 scallops which were largely burnt. And what is worse is that not once, I kid you not, not once did the waitress come and ask us about the food. Places which charge half the price as Cafe Zola's will have people stop by at least once during your meal to ask you about your experience and sadly, they did not come by even once. If they had, I would have been tempted to return my plate - it was really that bad. Oh and the last thing - since I knew that I was going to this place for dinner and had planned on having the Lobster Ravioli that was listed on their online menu. Guess what, they don't serve the ravioli at all. Would have been good to know because in that event, I would have chosen a different restaurant such as Real Seafood Company. Very very disappointed overall with how things turned out at every step.
(1)Robert C.
Tucked away on Washington Street, Cafe Zola is one of Ann Arbor's overlooked gems. The curved, stone bar at Cafe Zola is one of city's best places to eat or drink, allowing regulars to gather and guests to watch the comings and goings in this cozy space. Drinks are always made to perfection, and the selection includes a mix of classic cocktails and new inventions, such as the Midnight Manhattan (made with port instead of Vermouth). The service is consistently good, and the food matches in quality. Admittedly, I'll often skip the main dishes and go for a mix of starters, including: the Bruschetta Zola, the Stilton Salad, and the Blue Crab Cakes with Smoky Paprika Aioli and Citrus Chutney. To experience Ann Arbor's best french fries, order them "off menu" at Cafe Zola. They come with homemade ketchup and garlic mayo for dipping. The fries suit whatever you're ordering, whether it's an omelette, the Chimichuri Tango, or a Martini. Zola's biggest fault, admittedly, is the lack of new items to the menu. While consistency is appreciated, it would be nice to see some seasonal additions. Whether for drinks, dinner, or brunch, Cafe Zola is well worth the visit.
(5)Irene L.
I've been here for brunch a few times, and the quality seems to vary depending on who's working and how busy the place is (usually quite busy when I go). When it's good.... it is GOOD. When it's an off day... it isn't horrible, but "I am paying HOW MUCH for this overcooked omelette?" tends to come up in my head a few times... Typically I am more into the umami/savory brunch, but the time I risked straying from my usual choices and got a waffle, I was not disappointed! It was light and fluffy on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside. Perfection!
(4)Jaron O.
I enjoyed everything about this place, I'm just giving it 4 stars because I think it seemed a bit overpriced to me. I had an omelette that was really tasty, but no omelette should be $13 in my opinion (to be fair, most of them were $11 or $12, but that's still kinda steep, no?). Otherwise, friendly service, great food and beverages (bloody mary was killiin'), and a solid commitment to fresh organic ingredients has a big thumbs up from me. Plus I love a place that serves breakfast until 3pm :).
(4)Dea A.
Settle down for breakfast with a savory buckwheat crepe and a French press filled with delicious coffee. Or do a delicious and extravagant Gabus waffle with chocolate sauce and a scoop of ice cream with a carafe of hot jasmine tea. The chef that started the restaurant specialized in breakfast and it shows. The batters are excellent. The waffles are as they should be, truly Belgian style, light and crispy. The crepes closely resemble the savory Galettes de sarrasin and the more Americanized dessert crepes.
(5)Mark E.
Really nice food and very interesting menu, with good sandwich and salad options. Great tea and coffee options. For the most part, I heartily recommend Zola. The only thing I will say is that the acoustics of the main dining room are not conducive to conversation - extremely noisy when it is busy, which it usually is. Personal faves include the Kobe burger, the grilled chicken sandwich, the pomme frites (when not overdone, which occasionally they are.) My wife likes the Turkish eggs and the teas. I should note that I'm talking almost entirely about brunch/lunch as I've only eaten here for dinner once (I recall was quite good.)
(4)Amy B.
I have been to Cafe Zola several times over the last several years. The tables are small and you may sit close to other diners, but that doesn't bother me and it seems quite European or cafe style to me. It's a popular place, but I have never had a long wait (I think it depends on what time of day/day of the week you go). The bathrooms are modern and clean and the paper towels are plush and fabulous! I am always glad to see a well maintained restroom at a restaurant. The service has always been fine - no problems. I haven't had any over the top fantastic service, but it hasn't been below average, either. I'd say the service was good, but I'm sorry to say that I don't really have high expectations for really, really great service in Ann Arbor. I never experienced it while I lived there or any time I've been back to visit. The coffees are really great. On our most recent visit my husband had a mocha and he said it was really good and he can be pretty particular about his specialty coffee. I had a soy decaf cappuccino and I'd give that on it's own 5 stars. It totally hit the spot and was a very well made coffee. Our water glasses were frequently refilled (very important to me and this makes me happy!). I had the Crepe Zola and it was very good with yummy mozzarella, tomato, basil, and topped with a small drizzle of creme fraiche. The crepe is a nice option because it's light and fresh, but also fills me up and doesn't leave me hungry or overly full. I've also had the salad with salmon a few times before and have always enjoyed that, too. My husband had a Kobe burger before and he recalled it being very tasty, but messy. This time he had the salmon omelet and I had a few bites and it had truly excellent flavor. I did not have to use salt or pepper on any of my food, and I am constantly reaching for the pepper, so I think it speaks to how well put together the menu options are and that they are properly seasoned. The bread and butter is really lovely, but I'm not sure how many patrons actually have room for the bread and butter, since the other items on the menu are really delicious and satisfying. One of our friends got the crab cake Benedict and it looked so great and she seemed to enjoy it very much. She also got grilled asparagus, which I tried and that was also very good - - asparagus exactly how it should be cooked! I love to visit Cafe Zola when I come back to Ann Arbor and it seems to be the place to meet old friends for brunch. Any time I know I'll be in Ann Arbor, Cafe Zola is the first place that comes to mind for a nice breakfast, brunch or lunch. Oh, and when the weather is nice, there is outdoor seating, which is fun.
(5)Maya B.
LOVE this place. Food is delicious and fresh. Server was super knowledgable and friendly, drinks were amazing. Can't say enough good things - lots of healthy options - cannot wait for Zola Bistro to open!
(5)Annalisa B.
Few things in life are better than a relaxing summer patio zolas brunch. The omlettes are divine, but the best part is not just the French press coffee, but the soy chai. Unlike any other I have ever had. Just brilliant.
(5)Donna F.
Ordered a breakfast item, and it was just ok. Sat outside, and service was good.
(3)Shon C.
This is a little weird for me. I actually really like this place and go pretty often, but I can't bring myself to to give it 4 stars. I would say Zola fits in the 3.5 range. Here's the deal: Zola has great brunch, if you can afford it. That's the primary problem, it's very expensive. Sure, I appreciate fresh-squeezed orange juice and quality champagne in my Mimosa, but I'm not sure I want to pay $8 for it. Similarly, I love the smoked salmon crepe, but $12.95? Come on. Again, quality smoked salmon, crepe is always beautiful, great texture and flavor, but perhaps still a bit over-priced. I've noticed a lot of posts discuss the service; I actually haven't found it to be all that bad. They may not be as fast to fill your coffee as Northside (see my review, love Northside!), but when it arrives the coffee is great. Nobody has been overtly rude to me, and I'm generally seated pretty quickly when it's not busy. They tend not to seat parties until everyone is present, which has been a problem for me more than once. But I got over it with some Turkish Eggs, so no biggie. Pros: Yummy Turkish Eggs, Crepes, drinks, coffee, great ambiance, lively crowd, awesome location in downtown Ann Arbor Cons: Expensive, average service, usually a decent wait for weekend brunch
(3)Monika S.
Great food. Attentive staff. They recognize their steady customers.
(5)Charles J.
Such a yummy lunch spot! I've only ever had the dinner (also succulent) and finally had time to come in for lunch. I had the Summer in Provence salad with the most delicious vinaigrette I've ever had! The combination of goat cheese, roasted red peppers and mushrooms on a salad is superb. I also had a mojito that was perfectly minty and refreshing. My date had the crepe Zola and it was the perfect pairing of tomatos and mozzerella and light fluffy crepe - if you're in Ann Arbor, you have to try this place, it's definitely one of the best!
(5)Bernadette C.
Great place for brunch. I tried the crepes, which was made quite well, tasty, and healthy. I appreciate that they didn't add gallons of oil and butter into their crepe batter. While the bf and I didn't order too many things off the menu that day, I did appreciate the coffee. It's hard to get good coffee in Ann Arbor (trust me!!) and this place was reminiscent of the coffee shops back in Berkeley. Next time I'm going to try their Turkish delight - it's a plate of eggs with cheese, olives, tomatoes, and problem some other random veggies. Whatever it has in it, it looked GREAT when the people next to us ordered it, and the plate was huge! I was also pleasantly surprised by the style and decor of the cafe. It has a very relaxed feel. Homey, but trendy at the same time. It's gets busy as the brunch hours go by, so I suggest getting there a little earlier (that's like 11 for me =P) One negative note, though, is if you go, wear casual clothes. The smell of the food really sticks to whatever you're wearing. So if you're thinking about the super nice jacket you bought for $$$, don't bring it into the restaurant!
(4)Anabelle O.
My absolute favorite restaurant and I'm from LA. The goat cheese adriatica and Emile's arugula salad are both so delicious and my bf loves the burger. Also a perfect brunch spot. Love love love!!
(5)Jonas L.
Zola, I'm bored with you. Tonight, I was going to go out for a special meal. You have been my usual choice, for both brunch and dinner. But I want something new. Yes, the brunch is great. The omelette duxelles you have is absolutely delicious (but people who are conscientious of animal rights should be aware that it's made with veal stock). Your coffee is among the best in town. And that homemade ketchup is damn good. By the way, when I say I want my omelette not so well done, I mean that I want the inside to be runny, even if that gives me salmonella. Yes, the dinner is solid. Your non-red-meat-dishes are so-so. But the lamb and steak entrees make murder so tasty. However, you really should train your staff better. Once, your server recommended me a Sauvignon Blanc that she has never tasted, and it was ehhh. Next time, I'm calling the owner/sommelier over. Even though I say these nice things about you, deep down inside, I think we're done. Not like done-done, forever, but you won't be my go-to place anymore. I've experienced nearly everything on the dish, and in all these years, you've not come up with one new thing. Sorry, I need something new, something adventurous, something different. We can still hook up every now and then for brunch, but that's about it.
(4)Debbie H.
When did Zola earn the 5-star rating from Deb and I? How soon after I tasted the smoked salmon omelette did the stars begin adding up? Was it just a single bite after tasting the fluffy, perfectly cooked egg, the fresh salmon, the palate-satisfying mustard sauce or the seasoned potatoes that we were seeing stars? Maybe it was only after trying Deb's strawberry and banana waffle with real whipped cream (and realizing a one-bite "I'll just try it" promise was going to border on impossible) that the rating climbed. Could've been the terrific lemonade and tea ... Or the outstanding, cheerful service (Katrina) ... Or, or actually who cares? I guess all that matters is that everything that goes into a place earning five stars, Zola accomplished in short order. We were heading to the hospital at UofM for a less-than-pleasant morning and afternoon but Zola helped get us off on the right foot with a more-than-pleasant breakfast. We'll be back.
(5)O L.
For any weekend brunch, this place is packed and busy. I expected a wait when I arrived since there were so many people outside, but my friend and I actually got seated right away. There was a slight sense of guilt, but that quickly passed once I got my coffee. The restaurant can get loud and tight with so many customers, but as soon as the food arrives, nothing else matters. I ordered an omelette that was solid and tasty, but I want to rave about the waffles since I was pretty much taking generous bites from my friend's plate. The waffles here are absolutely amazing. I've tried many waffles and nothing comes close to Zola's. The light cake-like texture balances perfectly with the crisp crystallized sweetness of the shell. Every bite was light and refreshing and has you going back for more. It's so good, it's sinful!
(5)mariah c.
Mmmmm.... giant waffles! Ok, ok, I know Zola serves things other than waffles and crepes (see Dharma's review), but those are the items that first got me hooked on this place, and those are the reasons why I return. One of these days I'll branch out and get a salad. Today I *tried* to order a sandwich, but they were out of the ingredients. But hey, I think that was just fate urging me to stick with what I know. And I know I love big, fluffy waffles with tasty spiced fruit. I also know I can't ever finish a whole portion (the same rule is generally true for the crepes). A new summer favorite: Turkish lemonade -- with a twist of lime and fresh mint, it's even more refreshing than my regular summer standby. It's worth noting that they don't always take reservations, but will do a brunch reservation for a party of 6 or more.
(4)Christine E.
My waffle with Michigan maple syrup, strawberries and sweetened whipped cream tasted like sunshine - so light, so fluffy, just the perfect amount of sweetness. Swear to God that was hands down the best waffle I've ever had. The tea comes in this cool pot that presses down the loose tea leaves when you want to pour. Very nice Earl Grey. My mom got an omelet with goat cheese, potatoes and some other stuff that was good, but not as good as my waffle. Staff was incredibly charming. Expensive? You betcha. Delicious? Absolutely!
(5)Naren A.
This place is awesome! Love their bread and herb butter.. I had the vegetarian omelette duxelles, it was mushroom, mushroom and more mushroom, would have like something else as well, hence cut a star...:D we also had the black forest waffle and it was a stunner! The best part of my meal was the roasted pink potatoes that came with the omelette, they were out of the world... We also ordered half a pot of Chai, came in a french press with all the spices floating on top!!! Good service, Sunday morning at 11 am had a wait of 5 mins, awesome...
(4)Christopher T.
Definitely a must visit if in Ann Arbor. I had the open faced omelette with artichoke, peppers, potatoes, green beans, and onions. It was so amazing! My niece had the snowball waffle which was also yum, yum, yum. I don't think they make anything here that is bad. Plus, the service is very friendly.
(5)Amy L.
Excellent Ann Arbor Sunday brunch place! The food is amazing:) Of course, on Sunday it is very crowded and you should expect to wait. There is not a very large waiting area and most people stand outside. Not too bad when the weather is reasonable. The service is okay, typical for a very busy restaurant on Sunday morning. It seems to be a little expensive, but that doesn't keep people away. I will most likey be coming back!
(3)Kelsey P.
To me, Cafe Zola is a whole 'nother step up in food quality than any of the breakfast choices in Ann Arbor. Every component of each meal I've seen is of amazing quality - whether it's the honey-mustard sauce, coffee, or salmon. Unfortunately, this higher quality comes at a price. One might argue that the prices are fair for its finer quality, but these prices relegate me to keeping Cafe Zola's for special occasions.
(4)Julie J.
Huh. Zola, I think I caught you on a bad day. Some background: I ate at Cafe Zola for the first time last week during a Holiday brunch with co-workers. There were eight of us in total, so I think it's safe to say we were a relatively large party (which is always more challenging for everyone involved). A reservation was made at least one month in advance, if not longer. Three of my co-workers and I arrived before the rest of our party. When we gave our name, we were told that we wouldn't be seated until all of our party had arrived. We had no choice (given that it was well below freezing outside) but to crowd into the small entryway to the restaurant while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. This was less than ideal for everyone because we were blocking the entrance for other patrons and inhibiting the waitstaff. Even after our additional people arrived (and the entryway became even more crowded), we continued to wait for a few minutes longer as the table was cleared. When we were finally seated, the table was clearly too small to accommodate all of us. After one of my co-workers complained, the staff quickly added another table, which helped free up some room. Even with the additional table, however, I had very little elbow room and I wasn't comfortable. The food was good. I had the open faced artichoke omelette and enjoyed it. The coffee was brewed well and I was amused by the refill containers (pretty sure you can see them in the pictures section above.) Their waffles look truly decadent. I wasn't ready for one at 2:00 on a weekday afternoon but maybe when out-of-town company visits, we can try them. I don't recommend Cafe Zola for parties larger than six people. The restaurant is physically not large enough to accommodate large groups. But I believe it has potential to be a pleasant place to have a leisurely brunch. I'll have to come back in a smaller group and try again. Although the experience was not perfect, I give the dining staff credit for doing their best to accommodate our large party. When we complained, they acted quickly to re-arrange things.
(3)Rebecca W.
Andrea B. recommends making Cafe Zola a serendipitous part of a weekday afternoon....this is precisely what SK and I did, and it worked maaaaaaarvelously. From the outside it looked a bit crowded--lots of people milling around, though it turned out some of them were just walking down the sidewalk (out of our way, pedestrians! We are hungry!). We perused the menu briefly and ducked inside--and found no wait for a party of two! It must be said, however, that the table was veery tiny, veeery right inside the door, and veeery close to the party of two next to us. Like, in moments of comfortable silence at our table, we we were basically audience to the conversation at theirs. The. Food. Was. Ridiculous. SK had the Southwest omelet with sausage--sour cream, some kind of cheese (?), and a green chili sauce that he really liked. He proclaimed the omelets "sturdy," which he meant as a compliment--they were also sufficiently fluffy. Though tempted by all the mushroomy delights (next time?), I wanted to have something really different (at least for me) and went with the Frittata Zola: an open-face omelet with carmelized onions, sweet potato cubes, goat cheese, and fluffy challah croutons. Oh. So. Good. The flavors, which had me curious but wary, blended in strange and magical ways. Another reviewer has said that she found the sweet potatoes inedibly undercooked. Mine were cooked all the way through--no crunchiness--but still very firm and bright. For the first few bites I feared that they'd be raw (and this was before I read the other review) but I grew to trust the frittata and soon relaxed. It really hit me as I was chewing my last bite that there was basically nothing "on" any of the ingredients. Egg. Onions. Sweet Potatoes. Goat cheese. An absolute minimum of sauces and spices--which made me respect the frittata all the more. On the other end of the secret herbs and spices spectrum were the roasted rosemary potatoes (which come with the three-egg omelets--v. generous portions!). Every time I turned to my taters, the first bite was unbelievable. By bite three, though, I'd be getting thirsty--they were a tad on the salty side, but still delicious and cooked perfectly. SK and I were wary of the cool, crunchy centers and mushy outsides common with such large chunks of potato. No such thing! Wonderful, consistent texture. At other tables we saw fries served in what looked like a milkshake cup (the metal kind), martinis served tableside from little shakers, and French press coffees and teas. My own coffee refill was delivered by our very nice, not aloof server (though she did disappear right when we wanted our bill) in a cute little glass carafe. It was pricier than we usually look for in a breakfast, but not unreasonable for the quantity and quality you get. This was one of the best brunches I've ever had. My only complaint is the coffee--$3.50 for regular brewed coffee? I mean, I know it's fair trade and organic and "free refills" (that's not assumed?), but still. Had I known the price ahead of time (I tend to order coffee as I sit down, not after perusing the menu) I would have gone with a cappuccino or similar--they were less than fifty cents more. Momometer: my mom would LOVE this place. If she ever comes to visit on her own or with a girlfriend, we're going. I didn't try the famous Turkish Brunch because I don't really do olives (or hard-boiled eggs for that matter). But she does both, and more, and would love it. Popometer: Sadly, this place would be totally wasted on my dad. He is a pancakes, sausage links, and maple syrup man and despite the famed waffles, I think he would find this place an expensive way to miss the point of brunch. Not to mention that it is REALLY LOUD AND CLANGY INSIDE AND YOU HAVE TO TALK LIKE THIS! He wouldn't be able to hear a damn thing, and would be annoyed by that as well. The experience would be redeemable for him if we sat outside, maybe, but I still wouldn't invest in a Zola brunch for dad. More frittata for me.
(4)Evan M.
If you want to eat breakfast/brunch at Cafe Zola especially on a Saturday or Sunday, then be ready to wait at least 30 minutes for a table because it's jam-packed. The hostess was in control, but the three other waiters who kept "playing" hostess made it frustrating for us customers who were waiting for a table because of all the confusion it caused. Not to mention, there is no real waiting area for customers, so we were packed in the front doorway like sardines and on top of other customers who were trying to enjoy their meals. This cafe is cute. It reminds me of a few small restaurants in Manhattan I have eaten in with high ceilings and exposed brick interior. However, it's a little too cozy, as tables are about a 1/2 inch from each other. On the positive, the food is great. I ordered the Farmhouse omelet, which was amazing, they have a fully stocked bar, the Bloody Mary's are fantastic (if you enjoy a good Bloody then you know how hard it is to find restaurants or bars that can actually make them right), and the large coffee mugs are also a winner because you don't have to keep asking your waiter to fill you up every 3 minutes. Overall, I would endure the breakfast/brunch crowd again, because at the end of the day we all just want great food and service, which Cafe Zola provide once you finally get a table. If your travels ever bring you to Ann Arbor, MI home of University of Michigan, then I recommend this hidden gem.
(4)Kent H.
A few weeks ago me the mrs. and stella went to visit my alma mater and a very good friend who, like us, recently had a baby decided to have brunch at Cafe Zola. The only reason why I mention everybody is because the place was packed and we were warned that they might not have two high chairs for the lil ones. So we waited. When we were seated they found two high chairs and we ordered a few bloody mary's. Whoa. SPICY. My wife ordered an omelette, my friend ordered the salmon hash, which looked really freakin' good, and my friend's wife ordered something that got lost in the mix and so we all got served while she had to wait. This is the only reason why I am giving 4 stars and not 5. I ordered huevos rancheros with chorizo sausage and let me tell you it was the best huevos ranchero I've ever had! There was so much of it I couldn't finish, but I really really wanted to. I think Stella liked it too as I periodically fed her some egg that wasn't exposed to anything else. She chomped like a champ, which leads me to believe she picked up my nuanced taste buds! All in all the decor is great, the food better, and the service worse. I hope to be back 5 years later at a U of M football game in hopes to be reunited with the HR.
(4)Will K.
I like Cafe Zola. I went for dinner with a group of my coworkers after a long day at work. But everyone seems to be reviewing Cafe Zola for brunch. This place reminded me of home in Northern California. It doesn't feel like Ann Arbor at all. It's a quaintly decorated cafe with attentive staff. With that being said, the food was solid, but overpriced. I'm not quite sure why so many places in Ann Arbor think they can charge NY and SF prices, because their rent surely isn't as high. I had a lemon pasta as my main dish and the Stilton salad to start. The salad was amazing but the pasta was just okay. I have to admit -- $20 for pasta with no protein is outrageous. I asked for some chicken in it and it was another $7.
(4)Evelyn T.
A good place to go. I was apprehensive at first when I saw how crowded it was but we did have reservations and I had heard good things about Cafe Zola. I tried the argentine style steak with chimichurri with potatoes and it was tasty. I ordered it medium rare and it was done to my satisfaction. The chimichurri sauce on the side is really good and goes very well with the steak. I thought the servers were nice. Everybody in our party left the restaurant content.
(4)C.J. W.
Magically delicious! Cafe Zola presents a breakfast excursion parallel to no other. From the unrivaled freshly brewed iced tea (which varies from tropical flavors to natural green teas), to their Southwestern Omelette which exemplifies the perfect blend of spices, cream, peppers, tomatoes and wondrous textures. (By the way... add every single ingredient possible from Havarti to Chorizo. It makes every bite worth living!) If you're in the mood for a richly flavored omelette, try the Duxelles. The wild porcini mushroom sauce is incredible! Last but not least, if there ever was a sandwich for you to devour, it would be their grilled ham and havarti cheese sandwich. Perfectly flavored, truly rewarding! Cafe Zola is the ultimate treat for the breakfast connoisseur and while I've experienced nearly every A2 breakfast menagerie from Angelo's to Broken Egg, Cafe Marie's to Gandy Dancer brunch... nothing truly compares to Cafe Zola.
(5)Dee C.
Just went here earlier today and this place had about an hour wait. I guess this could be because it was homecoming week. It was absolutely packed here and they were seating as soon as a table got up. This place is obviously packed for a reason! It wad almost getting to a point where it was getting hard to talk to each other because it was loud. Nutella banana crepes: chocolate-hazelnut spread, ice cream, banana slices, toasted almonds, creme chantilly and raspberry sauce. This was an amazing crepe! I loved every moment of it and the ice cream was the perfect touch to it! Fresh squeezed orange juice really means fresh squeezed. It felt absolutely refreshing to drink it. Rosemary potatoes. Some of the potatoes were burnt and it did not have all that much flavor. I think they need to be cut smaller or do hasbrowns. The service was a little slow, and some of the things could have gone better, but overall had some really great food. I would go back!
(4)Jennifer V.
I've been here for both brunch and dinner, and I've gotta say that I definitely prefer their brunch. Their dinner is good, but their brunch is superb. I wasn't overly impressed with their dinner selection. I've had a couple of different entrees (once I had pasta, the other time, I can't remember), and both times it seemed a bit bland. The brunch, on the other hand, is excellent. I generally get their Americana breakfast - simple and straightforward. The eggs are cooked to perfection, and I usually have bacon with it. What makes the breakfast, though, are the potatoes. Yum!! The only issue I have with Zola is that their portions are on the small side for their prices. I don't come here often, typically for this reason. If I want a larger brunch for the same price, I'll generally go to Zingerman's Roadhouse or a coney.
(4)Martha V.
A friend and I stopped in for lunch during the Ann Arbor art fair and really enjoyed ourselves. The food and service were both really good - and there is something to be said for that during the art fair when restaurants are packed with more than the usual number of diners for a meal. We both had salad and were very pleased (and full). We had a hard time choosing what to eat - the crepes look outstanding so I may have to try one on my next visit. I will be back with my husband for sure.
(4)Sandy M.
I really like this restaurants very much. Had lunch there today excellent food and service. Has anyone noticed that there are no male employees. Strange.
(4)Anne M.
Authentic, European fare. Fabulous!
(5)Gjon C.
I have walked past Café Zola for years. I'm pretty sure I had a cup a coffee there when it first opened, but somehow I got it stuck in my mind that the only reason to go there was for crepes and I just never got around to wanting crepes. I know this is unfair and probably even completely inaccurate. I decided to try some new places in 2011 so after finding 3 others closed or full, and once again walking past this place, I stepped into the velvet shower curtain area, and before I could object, I was pleasantly invited in. "Just one?" Yes, the bar was fine. The menu listed Turkish coffee, the best in town no less. Interesting. By a strange twist of unlikely events, I had missed my morning Albanian coffee, first time in years probably. Even though I did have a late morning cup, my neck, head and even brain hurt because of this botched routine. I asked the waitress behind the counter if it was in fact the best in town. She back peddled a bit; I could see her thinking "great, one of these types of customers". They had to bring out a special burner to make it. Now I was sure they hated me. It took a few tries to get the water level right and I was wondering if they were going to ask how much sugar, which eventually they did. It was a Tuesday during lunch, but it was surprisingly busy. The staff bustled back and forth. The place is your typical main street Ann Arbor establishment; great décor, interesting layout... but something seemed odd. After a while I realized everyone that worked there was a woman and of similar type. Made sense, Café Zola is steeped in female energy but not at all overly feminine. I asked the woman that brought me my coffee if it was a pre requisite to be female in order to work there. She said no, woman were just the only ones that survived. I was starting to like this place. I briefly glanced at the menu, but wasn't in the mood to think. I asked which item was their best. This always gets a quick "What do you like?" question. I have learned to quickly answer "I like everything" and then yes to any follow-up questions. She ended up ordering the farmers omelet for me. I know why do I inflict this unnecessary burden on people simply trying to make a living? I'm sure I'll do it again, but next time I have to remember to say they should bring me the most interesting dish on the menu. The food coffee were good, the place had a great vibe. I'm very glad I went in and unlike most places, I like to return and would bring friends here. The only question is should I try and find out which week in the month I should try to avoid. Atmosphere **** Food *** Service *** Overall ***
(3)Lexy B.
I will jump through hoops of flame to eat Cafe Zola's Turkish egg breakfast. It's a fresh and flavorful array of feta, spinach, cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes that is simply delicious. Sometimes you can't beat honest and fresh food. Try the Russian Caravan tea if you can too. It tastes really strong and smokey, I feel like I'm sipping wood. This may sound gross, but I assure you, It's fantastic. The big downside to this place is the noise! This place is LOUD. Eat outside if you can! It gets busy fast, and everyone is packed together in way too small of a space. The atmosphere will probably cause you to have a flashback to your elementary school cafeteria. Except with much better food.
(4)Ashley B.
Yes, it's delicious. Worth the wait to get seated, the slow staff and the likelihood of being surrounded by the who's who of Ann Arbor pretension and wannabe hipsters? Sometimes.
(3)Emily F.
I had a bad experience at Cafe Zola. I will admit though, i am not rating the food, i am rating the service. I was in town to visit my sister who attends the University of Michigan and we wanted to go out for a nice brunch. I called Cafe Zola while we were driving over, and they told me the wait would be about 15 minutes. We parked the car, and when we arrived at the restaurant, it couldn't have been more than six or seven minutes until we actually walked in, the hostess told me there would be over an hour wait. I explained that I had just called and driven over because she said the wait would be fifteen minutes, and she said I needed to wait like everybody else. We waited almost an hour, and when that time had passed the hostess told us that the wait would still be an hour, and she was not very nice about it. I'm all for waiting for a delicious brunch, but she was so rude. There is no need to be rude to customers, and this really hit a nerve with me because we were being incredibly nice and understanding. We ended up leaving and having a delightful brunch somewhere else. I will not go back to Cafe Zola because I do not not like being treated like a nuisance when I am a willing, paying customer.
(1)Jasmine L.
Awesome brunch place just off Main Street. My aunt raved about this French-y bistro brunch cafe, so before herding my sister off to catch her train at noon, we all went here Sunday morning. (Holy crap at the line outside, by the way. Prepare to spend about 30 minutes milling around.) First off - best coffee, hands down, that I've had in a long long time. I got the cafe latte and it was creamy, caffeinated goodness. Yum. My sister got the soy cafe au lait and oh man - it came out with an empty cup the size of a pool, and two little bottles, one brimming with foamed soy milk, and the other steaming with freshly brewed coffee. To say that it was exceptional is an understatement. Ah, but we need to talk about the food. I got the omelette duxelles, my sister got the frittata zola, my aunt got the turkish delight, and my cousin got the banana and strawberry crepes. OH THE BOUNTIFUL DELICIOUSNESS! My omelette was chockful of sauteed mushrooms and the porcini sauce is divine. (Only thing - I couldn't see or taste any onions/shallots, which was a shame, but it didn't take away from the taste.) The egg was thick and fluffy - so fluffly that it makes me want to ask for a two egg omelette next time. And I asked for vermont cheddar inside the omelette, which I have decided is my new favorite cheese. The frittata zola is basically an egg-sweet potato-crouton-onion pizza, with a thin, thin "open-faced" egg bottom. Divine. Glorious chunks of goat cheese were strewn on the top. The Turkish delight is a spinach and feta cheese (chunk) fiesta with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes on the side WITH two fried/sunnyside eggs nestled right on top of the feta cheese. And man, that crepe was just bursting with fruity goodness. The only downside was that it came with three ginormous blooms of creme fraiche on top, which, given that my cousin is only 8 years old, would send her right into cardiac arrest. The exposed brick walls and teeny photogapher lights only help to heighten the feeling that you are in a Parisian bistro, oddly transplanted in the middle of campus town. The waitresses are awesome - especially considering that the shop is crammed full of chattering people - and they can memorize all of the orders perfectly, no pad or pencil needed. Needless to say, this has become a spot that I need to frequent every time I visit Ann Arbor. (Oh and another clincher? Along with my omelette came a side of hot Zingermen's bread. YUMM!)
(5)Sarah A.
I hate standing in line. I mean, I HATE standing in line...but waiting for brunch at Cafe Zola is so worth the agony of listening to the rest of the people waiting stand around and be self important. I took a Zola virgin there yesterday for my personal favorite menu item: smoked salmon omelette. That omelette never ceases to amaze me, in fact I had previously been reluctant to try new things on the menu because of the sheer joy I experience while eating this thing! We added spinach and avocado to the omelette because at Zola, you can add pretty much whatever you want to your eggs. It should go without saying that spinach and avocado are fine companions for smoked salmon omelettes! We also ordered a french press of the Ethiopian roast coffee. Yummy, rich, dark caffeinated goodness. I love that I can go to a restaurant and get a full french press just like I would make myself at home. Drip coffee is so not the same...especially in a high-end brunch joint! So go to Zola, but be prepared to wait forever and a day if you have a party of more than two.
(5)Alexandra M.
I have been waiting a very long time to go to Cafe Zola, and have heard again and again how delicious their food is. Today was the day; my friends and I were going to kick off a beautiful sunny day with brunch and we were really excited about the menu options and the whole atmosphere of the restaurant. I ordered the Frittata Zola and my friend ordered the Antipasto Sandwich. Though the meal was delicious going down, the two of us paid for it for the rest of the day... OH AND A COKE IS 2.50 and regular coffee is 3.15. wtf.
(1)Nandini V.
I love the food here, especially the brunch options. The hot chocolate is to die for (and will probably kill you if you drink it too often). I just wish the wait time wasn't forever.
(4)Jackie B.
Revised, January 1, 2013: Cafe Zola is THE place for brunch/lunch in Ann Arbor. My husband and I eat there for brunch about three Saturdays out of each month. The omelets are big enough for two, and they're happy to give a second plate. For an extra charge, they will divide it in the kitchen and add extra potatoes and toast for the second plate (not actually necessary unless you both love toast or crave carbs). The smoked salmon omelette (with a lovely mustard sauce) is the most expensive (around $15) and the best, although I am becoming increasingly enamored of the Southwestern omelette and also like the mushroom (duxelles) omelette. Soups are always good (my favorites are creamy tomato and ribolita), and most of the sandwiches, are, too. This is one of the few places I will eat a burger out (which means it's at least as good as we make at home). GREAT fries! For breakfast egg dishes that come with breakfast potatoes, you can substitute fries if you want (I often do, since they are so good--the best around). They come with spicy mayo and a house-made ketchup. They put white table cloths on the tables around 3-4pm, and the prices go up (even for the same burgers), and the pricey entrees come out. It's usually good for dinner, though a tad pricey for every day. I recommend the lamb chops *very* highly! For New Years Eve, they put together a special menu (and even higher prices) and have a party. This year, I had osso bucco again (foodie comfort food), and my husband had a wild mushroom and truffle pasta dish--both were great! We split a baby octopus appetizer and a blood orange, greens, marcona almond salad, which were also excellent. There are two seating periods for New Years Eve, and I recommend going for the later one (which begins at 8:00), whether you're staying for the party or not. It's more festive, and I think the service is better. I heartily recommend Cafe Zola for breakfast, brunch, or lunch any day of the week (but expect a lengthy wait if you go before 1pm on weekends). Dinner is really good, too, and none of the meals, especially dinner, are for the budget-conscious, though I did recently split an omelette with a friend, and we got the extra potatoes and toast; with a drink, my half of the entire bill was only $13, which is downright cheap for Zola.
(4)Brad D.
It has been pretty good in the past, but this past experience my service was not great, and the food was average.....then, the bill came. BAM. Very expensive.
(2)Mei O.
As everyone chowed on their breakfast around me, happy and talking, I realized I wish I had ordered anything but my dish, the mushroom savory crepe. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I've had better crepes. It was on the dry side, and needed something else. But I tasted Andrew's Blitz crepe, a sweet crepe, and that was so yummy. The waffles and omelettes were huge and everyone who had one seemed to enjoy their meal. Maybe better luck next time? The prices were also a little high, but you do get a lot of food.
(4)Michael F.
Zola is, bar none, my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. We go there as often as possible. I think the important thing to know about Zola is that it is really two very different restaurants: a brunch/lunch spot featuring crepes, sandwiches and awesome egg dishes, plus a cozy bistro with great cocktails and a range of delicious dishes from braised lamb shank to spaghetti and meatballs TO DIE FOR. Since it seems that most other reviewers have already covered the brunch scene, I will focus on the joys of Zola for dinner. Zola offers a warm somewhat subdued atmosphere during the week, but is hopping on Saturday nights. The waitstaff is far and above any other Ann Arbor eatery. Bar none. They are typically prompt, friendly, knowledgeable about the food and attentive without hovering. The food at Zola runs a wide range from rather simple fare like salmon burgers and the aforementioned spaghetti and meatballs, to more complex dishes like scallops in a beet reduction. Steaks include a chimichurri which is accompanied by a pesto that makes the meat sing. Ravioli with brown butter and sage is mouthwatering. Often they have a whole fish cooked in parchment, which is always cooked to perfection. Their seared tuna with wasabi and coconut rice adds an asian flavor to the menu. Each dish is complex and presented with a flair that make even the simpler dishes shine. The menu includes a good selection of pasta, fish and meat dishes. The amount of food is ample and can be complemented by several delicious salads that can be shared as appetizers. I must take a moment to say a word about Zola's cocktails which are outstanding. The martinis in particular, seem pricey, but are accompanied by a shaker that contains at least 3 drinks! I suggest their sidecar or the martini frida, which looks like xmas. Zola has uniformly been a pleasant dining experience for us. That is saying alot in Ann Arbor where service is typically spotty even at the higher end restaurants. The food is special enough for us to feel like it goes beyond what we could do at home. I think no restaurant in Ann Arbor exceeds Zola for a pleasurable dining experience.
(5)Stella R.
Often at Zola's for breakfast. Like the food, but always feel like my credit card cries a little afterwards... My last bill was $30+ for two people and all that we had was a few teas, oatmeal and fruit. We're pretty comfortable and it is a nice setting, but that just didn't set right with me. Now I'm looking more for other options.
(3)Haroun K.
I agree with anyone who rates Zola far and above Felix. It's much much better. I went there for Brunch this past Sunday, my first time there. Although I was reaaaaaaaally hungover, I enjoyed my crepe very much, as did my friend. I got a savory one, and he got a sweet one. The lemonade I had was ok. The service was surprisingly quick, which I did not expect after checking out the reviews. Though when my knife fell, it took about 7-8 minutes to get a clean one! My main qualm was the price. My crepe was worth the 6 dollars, but the lemonade was around 3 dollars, and it wasn't worth 3 dollars. Oh well.
(4)Michael B.
If you're going to do brunch in Ann Arbor, do it right! Don't go to the Gandy Dancer...don't go Afternoon Delight...run, don't walk, to Cafe Zola! I've been here so many times, I can't even express the joy I have when I think about it. Delicious Chicken Sandwich and crazy good fries, and top it off with their own homemade ketchup! My boyfriend swears by the omelettes and hasn't found a place in New York that even compares. Your tea and coffee comes in a french press...so great. The staff is friendly and super efficient (at least when I've been there). Honestly...I'm sure they exist, but I have yet to find a brunch place in the US that makes me as happy as Zola does. I can't speak for dinner...I've actually heard it's nothing to write home about...but their brunch MORE than makes up for it :)
(5)Paul B.
Sorry to be punitive but it's hard to give more than a 1 given we never got to sit down and enjoy a meal. The reservation was for 10 of us at 11am on a Sunday AM and was told it'd be a wait. Fine; it's hard to get tables cleared right on time, so it's understandable it wouldn't be immediate. So we wait a bit. But then a bit becomes a while and we check in with the hostess again. Eventually they call a reservationless party of 10 ahead of us with the hostess saying "Sorry, they've been waiting an hour and a half." We asked if the rest of the people that arrived before us but that didn't have reservations would also have priority and were met with dismissal. So we left to find a new place that could accommodate our relatively-large group (not an easy task, and not so fun when you're hungry). The moral of the story is if you take reservations, operate your business as such so that you can honor them; otherwise don't take reservations and do first come, first served.
(1)Diana S.
This place was delicious and a total calorie splurge. I had the waffles with coconut and vanilla ice cream on top. It was so decadent and I felt so guilty afterwards...guilty that I couldn't finish the last bite! yum yum yum! I love obnoxiously hearty breakfast. The place was super cute and the staff was great. Loved it!
(4)Lisa L.
This place got super busy -- may have something to do with the Michigan Minnesota game that day, but never the less, there was a line out the door and it was about 10am. I guess I was a little confused due to my West Coast time confusion, since I was just recently sleeping on a plane prior to landing and eating breakfast at Cafe Zola's. I had an amazing autumn omelette with REALLY good coffee. Usually the house coffee sucks, but this time, I was impressed... Les had the asparagus and goat cheese omelette. That one was good too... The lines tell you something! It's not just a co-in-keeee-dink. :)
(4)Rala S.
This place is awesome. They secretly take reservations if you have a party of 6 or more, and the atmosphere is fantastic. There will usually be a wait on weekends at mid-morning, but it's worth it. Crepes are fantastic and so are the omelets. Coffee is delicious and they have a wide-range of tea, hot cocoa etc.
(5)Victor C.
PROS: Food full of flavor, dishes different from what you'll find elsewhere in Ann Arbor, nice atmosphere, great selection of coffee served in french press pots CONS: Brunch-time wait can be long (but no different than any other good breakfast spot in Ann Arbor), service is usually spotty - the servers are pleasant, but it seems they have too many tables to handle all the time RECOMMENDED DISHES: For dinner, the Chimchurri Tango and Wild Mushroom Pasta are both very good. For brunch, most all the omelettes and crepes are great (try the Autumn Omelette) AVOID: Better waffles can be had elsewhere ATMOSPHERE: Nice decor and feel, great windows and lighting, can be noisy PRICE RANGE: Dinner entrees are $13 - $29. Brunch main dishes are around $9 or $10 BASED ON: Numerous visits ONE MORE THING: If you've been to Zola for brunch and think it is overrated or too expensive, go for dinner sometime. We think you'll be impressed.
(5)Peter S.
Amen to Evan M's review. It's the one I'd write if he hadn't already covered things perfectly - Mine was for 12/24/09 - same Holiday crowd - very good food and service once we were seated (group of 11). Very nice feel to the place. It's worth seeking out. Lucky Ann Arbor!
(4)Dave Y.
the brunch here is probably the best one around. it gets really crowded on weekends and you often have to wait a while, but it's totally worth it. they serve pretty authentic french-style food. the crepes are some of the best i've had outside of france, and their coffees, especially when made in french presses, are superb. it's also a beautiful and pleasant environment. this is definitely one of ann arbor's gems
(5)S K.
Would give it 4 stars for breakfast but only 2-3 for dinner, partially because of the service. My salmon burger was great, though I received it after everyone else in my party had finished their 'meh' entrees.
(3)Laura K.
The first time I went to Zola, it was great. I had the scallops in a beet wine reduction, and it was fantastic. The second time I went there, I ordered fish. There were so many tiny bones in the fish that I couldn't take a bite without crunching on them. I've also been there for brunch, and found my asparagus omelet extremely bland. It's way too inconsistent for the price!
(3)David N.
I visited on a busy Sunday morning. We had made reservations but an additional two people show up. The hostess was clearly annoyed. After waiting for an additional 30 minutes, we were seated. The attitude from the hostess was on constant display. I ordered the Farmhouse Omelette and the Nutella Babanna Crepe with some green tea. The red skin potatoes were so heavily spiced that I couldn't taste the potato. The omelette was bland. I thought it may have needed salt but adding that didn't help. The omelette wasn't bad though. Just a little bland. The nutella bananna was very good. The green tea with jasmine served in a tea press was bitter. Overall, I wouldn't visit this restaurant again. The atmosphere was nice and the waitress did a good job keeping up with everyone (although the ice water was often warm and without ice) but the food didn't suit my taste and the attitude shown by the host staff didn't leave me feel valued as a customer.
(2)