by Tom W.

Zaytoons was my favorite place to eat in Brooklyn and I was very glad to have it nearby while staying in Fort Greene.  They have a wide array of Middle Eastern offerings, many of which were great.  On my first visit I got the chicken shawarma.  It had a terrific yogurt sauce, really thick gyros pita, and was very enjoyable.  We also got the zaatar pita, which was more like a thin pizza pie with lots of olive oil and zaatar.  Definitely a great addition to the meal and a value at $3.  The hummus and baba ganoush were nice, though not one of the best I've had.  The baba ganoush had a strange fizzy quality to it that was unfamiliar.  The vegetable pita wrap lacked kick since every bite was just baba ganoush, hummus, and tabouli.  The falafel sandwich had exactly what this sandwich was missing and was very enjoyable.  The Zaytoons mixed offered and bitter combination of pickles and olives that tasted was too pickley.  The 50 cent pita bread was a large, thick, and tasty.

by Danielle c.

Gimme gimme lentils, gimme gimme hummus, gimme gimme a laham platter full of shish and shawarma!!  YUMMMM they deliver

by A. R.

I haven't actually sat down and eaten here for a good two years (so I can't really rate the table service), but order from here at least once a week and keep coming back. Delivery is always quick - I think the longest I've ever waited was half an hour and that was on a Friday night - and the portions are huge and tasty. I always get a kabab platter, with meat, rice, salad, and hummus, and this is enough to last me for two days - good deal! The falafel sandwich is also ideal if you're planning a night of heavy drinking, because that stuff lines your stomach like no other. Even though I live closer to Black Iris, Zayoons is the one I go to when I need my Middle Eastern fix...that's true love for me.

by Daniel H.

The quality has been starting to slide in the past few years. If you really, really like middle-eastern cuisine (this ones more of a fusion), and don't just like it because it's "different," then you can definitley do alot worse. If you just want to try it for the first time, this is a very good place to start.The level of service can be haphazard: they held something I lost at the place (some glasses) for about a month until I returned and they recognized me. Impressive. But other times, they can be a bit rude.If you want serious middle-eastern cuisine in the area, you might want to head over to downtown brooklyn, but if you are passing by and feel like something to eat, give them a try.

by Paul K.

More like 3.5 stars (a la the ole' Star Search).  Great value and yummy hummus.  We had a great combo plate for an appetizer, but then the shwarma sandwiches were just ok.  The taste of the meat didn't jump up and slap you in the face (yes, I like it rough when eating Middle Eastern ... I'm seeking treatment).  But I love the fact it's BYOB.  Service was uneven.

by Ashley N.

I've never had an issue w/ delivery.  Their food quality works on a gradient of extra good to complete crap.  Get the chicken kabob sandwich and you'll be happy.  They vary in the way they make their grape leave wraps. It's caused me alarm when one was completely filled w/ garbanzo beans...not good at all.  They're pretty pricey but if you order right you can get a lot for your money.  I wouldn't avoid the place completely but it's one of those places to go to when you're in the mood for middle-eastern on a week night.

by Melissa M.

Really sweet, low-key, romantic fun little joint.  Beautifully ethnic decor and one night a week (i forget which night) they have bell dancers!  I've been there with friends and we smoked hookah and brought our own wine and had dessert.  I've gone their on a date and our server got excited that my date could speak Arabic. The food is good too.  Though I wasn't overly impressed by the falafel, there is plenty of good stuff--their potato salad, hummus, chicken shawarma pitza, pita and mousse are out of this world delicious! Very reasonable prices!!

by Lisa N.

A bit pricey for what you get.  The hummus and baba ghanouj weren't bad at all - but I'd rather hit up Sahadi's and get the real deal.  I believe I ordered the chicken shawarma or something like it.  It's pretty decent; it didn't wow me, but it wasn't awful either.

by Maryanne N.

Absolutely one of my most favorite restaurants in and out of Brooklyn. I have never been dissappointed with anything from Zaytoons. Fresh fluffy pitas, creamy hummus and babaganoush, tender lamb and chicken. Everything is absolutely wonderful. I'm sad that I don't live around the corner anymore so I don't get it as often as I like.

by Jesse N.

This place is fun to go to, with a casual, BYOB  atmosphere and some reasonably tasty food.   If you are with a group, get that plate-of-a-bunch-of-appetizers (I think they have a different name for it.)  The food here is not the most authentic or amazing, but it's good enough and definitely well priced.

by Daniel E.

This place is my on-and-off relationship. Sometimes I love it and sometimes I wish I hadn't gone back. But it was great in the beginning. This place was nicer when the owners were around. The prices are really fair, the food unfortunately is hit or miss. The service has really suffered as time went on. It seems a bit cramped in the front, but they have a spacious back room that also offers hookahs. I always have the baba ganoush but I can't even give it a solid endorsement because like most of the food at this place, the quality is inconsistent. Their schwarma pizza was really good........that one time. Do go....it might be a good day.

by jonathan h.

In a nutshell: high quality food, lowest quality service. Delivery is especially bad - phones left off the hook, slow/late delivery, cold food.I think that I read the kids of the founders took over. Not sure it is going to make a third generation.

by Josh E.

Zaytoon's food is not that great, but what can you do if you don't want to trek out of Clinton Hill? The prices are reasonable and the quality is a bit hit or miss. Some visits, I would feel pretty good about what I ate and, others, I would question whether I really wanted to go again or not. The falafel sandwiches are pretty trustworthy though, and are good for a cheap lunch. It just needs to be more consistent to be recommendable as a good dinner stop.

by Daryll H.

Great food, and *cheap* -- like, Williamsburg-Oasis cheap, but not filthy.  Their yogurt stuff, whatever it's called, was one of the best things I've ever eaten.  Their mint tea tastes like what my grandma used to make.Oh, and hookahs!Finally, a Navy Yard spot that's worth going back to.

by James C.

Eating there is awsome. The prices are affordable, everything is cheap and the food comes out really fast.  It is definately a fort Greene staple. I wouldnt recomend delivery. I would do pick up or dine in.

by Boba F.

I have to say, this is one of favorites types of foods and, other than a middle eastern restaurant in Dublin Ireland (coincidentally, of the IDENTICAL namesake), they make some great tasting food.HOWEVER, if you plan to have it delivered, expect to treated with extreme crassness (especially if you're a woman, like my wife did).As for service, this place definitely is the haughtiest place that I've been to in Brooklyn--inside or out (I've had both)--and service to WOMEN (and I'm a man) needs a vast improvement.But of course, MOST Arab men need to work on improving their attitude to women...  ...and I'm a Bangladeshi, Muslim-born.

by Arthur O.

Yet another neighborhood restaurant that takes their popularity and clientele for granted.When I first started going there 3 years ago, you really couldn't complain about the place.  Great service, BYOB (they do charge a wine corking fee of 7.50 per person, so go with beers), reasonable prices, fresh veggies, awesome kabobs, and even hookahs.  I was just there yesterday, and once again, their greens were old and brown, pepperoncinis withered, the shawarma sandwich too dry (it was full of meat, hardly any veggies; I had to keep forking for my friend's babaganoush to keep myself from choking), the meat itself really salty, and even the garnish on the plate was old and had turned yellow with brown specs.  Adding to the sub-ideal quality of the food, they were either out of ice or their ice maker was broken (if it's broken, why not go out and buy a bag of ice?) and service was terribly slow (which I didn't mind, because it was in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday, but it seemed ridiculous that it took them forever to get us a platter of Falafel and a shawarma sandwich).  The 3-star rating both reflects Zaytoons's past and my continuing hope that they will aspire once again to be good.I'll be trying Zaytoons again, but if they come at me with this type of disregard (in quality of food) and basic courtesy (ice!), it would mark the sad end of a love affair.--- --- ---Update: Okay, so I like it again, now.  Who's fickle?

by Adrienne M.

The food tasted good going in.I was having a great evening, and was in no rush. It was obvious that service would be slow, since there was only one server for the entire dining room area. My boyfriend and I were enjoying the beers we brought and our conversation, when an hour later our meals finally arrived.I ordered the house special: Couscous with Chicken and Vegetables. It was good. And they were nice enough to upgrade my garden salad to a Greek salad for no extra charge. Oh, but let me tell you. There aren't enough euphemisms in the world to describe the horrors I felt the next day. I couldn't keep any food down, and I was extremely nauseous. All I wanted to do was eat, but I couldn't even stand the smell of bread.Two days later, I'm nursing from a Gatorade bottle to replenish all my lost fluids and eating rice one grain at a time. My boyfriend suffered nothing.The positives: I like that it is BYOB and the atmosphere is relaxing and pretty.

by Kristy S.

This is one of very few good restaurants that was in a short walking distance from my apartment. After living in the area for four years with few take-out choices, not only am I not sick of frequenting Zaytoons, but I still crave it all the time.The pita bread is always warm and fresh (how disappointing is it when you get Middle Eastern food and the pita is cold and not soft??). Delicious hummus, falafel, salads and pizzas. The seating area in the back is cozy and has colorful lanterns and tapestries that give it a laid back feel.I can relate to the previous reviewer. I look forward to going here so much so that all I can hear in my head is a repetetive sort of jibber jabber...hummus pita hummus pita falafelhummuspitahummus...

by Jeff M.

Every bit as good as its Smith Street location.

by tanty d.

This week has been an exhausting week for myself and family. So today, my brother's GF and I decided to make a spontaneous choice to celebrate my brother's Birthday. Looking through reviews and comments this restaurant received, we were both convinced it will give us the outmost memorable experience. Despite the road detour that occurred while getting to the location, we were amazed by its decor and ambiance. I rate 5-FIVE stars for the decor; candle lights, comfortable chairs, beautiful detailed couch covers, and the middle eastern music. First of, the SERVICE. We waited about 25 minutes until the waitress came and took our order. It seemed as if we were forgotten because we were placed in the back a.k.a the Hukkah Lounge. When we asked for the check, she didn't come until 20 minutes later. Seriously, how long does it take to print or even calculate the subtotal  of our meals.Second of, the FOOD. None of our food came as expected. The beef and lamb pitzsa we ordered was not cleaned well or is not a clean meat because after I ate it, the back of my tongue started to itch. Another dish we ordered had couscous and vegetables and that too didn't taste good. The couscous tasted like unwashed grain. My biggest complain regarding the good is that, THERE IS A DEFINITELY LACK OF SPICE AND TASTE.Overall, NOT RECOMMENDED! Definitely made my brother's birthday celebration not a memorable one.01/08/08I have been sick the whole day.  It started at 5 am and continued all the way thru until? well its still not done.  My brothers gift from the restaurant, nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarhea.  As you can tell by now, my review just became a total bashing, but its deserved.

by Antonio c.

Already from the appetizer it was a disaster! We had falafel and it tasted like the frozen one from the supermarket. We ordered 2 different types of couscous and after 20 minutes the cook comes to us saying the don't' have the ingredients prepare  it. You got to be kidding! So we had no choice and we had to take what he proposed. Vegetable and chicken couscous. Terrible! It was dry, basically they cooked the couscous and put some steamed vegetables and chicken on top, no sauce at all and no garbanzo beans! How can something be dry and watery at the same time?Of course we didn't eat it and we left disappointed but not furious just because the price was very reasonable.

by laura y.

Usually love getting their platter. Only thing I have to complain is their pita bread isn't as good as they were before. But this would be my first place where I tried hummus so I have alot of fond  memories for this place.

by Michael P.

This place is yummy and BYOB. Can't beat that! The pitas are warm and huge and so tasty. The seating area inside is a little small and service is not the most amazing thing ever, but the food makes up for it.

by Gabe B.

I get take out from this place all the time and it's always good. Their chicken shwarma pizza is amazing. Portions are good, especially if you get a platter.

by Jessica H.

This place is good.  Not excellent.  I always seem to get an attitude from the people at the counter, which turns me off.  Every time I come, the place is empty, so it makes me think they really can't afford to be snooty.  I typically only order falafel from here, which is hard to mess up.  But it's definitely palatable and reasonably-priced (both the platter and the sandwich).  I've had better hummus and pita elsewhere, but it's fine for what it is.  One thing I advise against: the potato salad.  I don't know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn't what I got. It tasted soapy and weird.  I don't know if that's typical of Middle Eastern potato salad.  I wasn't expecting mayo and squashed up potatoes, but I figured it would at least be edible.  Overall, this place is decent, though.

by Whitney K.

Dracula stalks into the Mediterranean restaurant. He surveys the surroundings. Nice vibe, excellent music, youngins smoking hookas. Dracula approves.The falafel. It's falafel. It is good, hard to screw up. The vegetable shish kabob... not so much. Dracula frowns in disappointment. He wants the blood of fresh vegetables and this is most certainly not what he has received. The other veggies.... also disappointing. Is there a spray that makes old veggies look fresh but doesn't change the taste? Dracula is suspicious, very suspicious. He surveys his empty plates, his hunger finally satisfied. Eh.Black Iris is better. Dracula will walk the extra couple blocks next time.

by arnold s.

I was there last week with my girlfriend, and it had been a while since we were there last. I was so pleasantly surprised that a new staff was on board, as the previous people were a little unattentive.  I tried my usual hummus and babaghanouj appetiser, as well as the lentil soup. Both were delicious. The hummus was smooth and garilcky and baba was smoked just right.  The soup was so rich with flavor. There was a new twist to the menu since i was there last. Zaytoons now has burgers. So I decided to have that as my lady ordered the roasted chicken.  Let me say this, whatever the owners changed, it was by far one of the most satisfying meals we ever had.  I went back last night and had there lamjeen pizza. Wish I had another.The waitress ws so cool and although she had a heavy mid eastern accent, she was welcoming and i understood as much as i needed to from her. Welcome back Zaytoons

by mariu p.

Terrible experience, staff very unprofessional, tasteless food and long waiting time. Although very cheap.Not recommended at all.

by Chris C.

I'm generally pretty apathetic to this place. Maybe its because I'm not used to middle eastern cuisine but often the food comes off as incredibly dry tasting and there isn't really that much to choose from on their menu. Their falafel is okay but not up to par with the ones I'd find on street venders.The seating is a bit crowded and in my experiences the orders took a little long to carry out. The restaurant is dark and its hard to really see any of their decorative efforts.If you're a smoker, this might be worth checking out for its Hookah Bar. As someone who doesn't smoke, I'm largely uninterested in the place.I'd still meet up a few friends in this place if they were eating there, I'd just  never suggest going here.

by Natasha S.

We drive here from Queens and it is one of my favorite places. Food is great, service is awesome and best of all, it's BYOB!  We get the assorted appetizer platter, the tuna sandwich and the lamb every time.

by Joe H.

Wow, they continue deliver the best fresh-baked pitas, hummus and lamb-kebabs in all of New York for the best price. If you want good middle eastern food go here. Don't waste your time with Black Iris. I have no interest in this-I just want the best for our community. I have found that all Middle-eastern restaurants skimp on everything that they are expected to deliver (Meat, pickles, hummus, falafel) Zaytoons will do it less if you remind them. The best hummus in the city. Do they use Sabra? Great lamb but very skimpy. Great flavorings in all…

by Emma H.

As a former Pratt kid, I loved this place.  Cheap food, bring your own beer (40's if youre classy) and really close to home.  A group of friends and I used to go every Friday night, ordered a decent amount of food and tipped well.  Even still, the waitress was always a huge bitch.  It was tolerable for a while, but then the food started to be put together sloppily, and the soup was served watered down and cold.  Their combo platter is awesome and I love their falafel, especially because they put pickle slices in it, but I just won't go back there anymore because of the terrible service.  They have a few new people on staff who are a bit friendlier, but I don't want to chance getting that horrid woman and just steer clear now.Also, their hookah is overpriced, and almost always tastes burnt.  Not too mention they don't clean them properly, if ever.  Don't waste your time here, go down the street to Black Iris.  Same price, great food and awesome staff.

by Briana M.

This place is good in theory. Come lunch time I read the menu items and begin to salivate, seriously endangering my keyboard. But when my food arrives, I am always sorely disappointed. How good does spinach pie with feta and mozzarella sound? Awesome. How good does it look, after zapping it for a few seconds, yielding a lovely, gooey cheesy interior? Awesome. How does it taste? BLECH. The spinach itself is disgusting! It's heavily, heavily spiced, oozing reddish grease and polluting my taste buds with strange flavors. It gets to the point where I can't stomach the pie, and can only eat the spinachless, cheese filled corners. Waste of money. How wonderful does a leg of lamb sandwich sound, complimented by minty mayonnaise? Fucking awesome! I always love my leg of lamb pitas, but this sandwich does not do justice to that of Black Iris or Olive Vine. At all. It's nearly flavorless, and just dripping with watery "mayonnaise". Yes, it filled me up, but I want to ENJOY the food that I order if I'm going to splurge on take out. If you want to get some good Middle Eastern in this area, I would stick with Black Iris. Not only is the food better, but the name is far cooler!

by Andrew Z.

Disclosure: I am half Lebanese (Not to be confused with lesbian). I have grown up eating middle eastern food at family events and holidays so I know good middle eastern food when I try it. Zaytoons is not exactly traditional middle eastern food, but it does have the most popular dishes. Matter of fact, I'm sitting here waiting for my kibbeh platter and spinach pie to be delivered as I write this.If you're looking to try something a bit different than your typical falafel or shawarma, try the malfouf platter - cabbage stuffed with rice and meat.The staff here is also very friendly. One night we were cruising around looking for tobacco for the hookah and they sold it to us. I'm sure they don't get many requests for a quick fix of tobacco, but they made it happenI have yet to find a very traditional middle eastern food, so if anyone knows where to go, shoot me a message!

by Andrew Z.Briana M.Emma H.

Disclosure: I am half Lebanese (Not to be confused with lesbian). I have grown up eating middle eastern food at family events and holidays so I know good middle eastern food when I try it. Zaytoons is not exactly traditional middle eastern food, but it does have the most popular dishes. Matter of fact, I'm sitting here waiting for my kibbeh platter and spinach pie to be delivered as I write this.If you're looking to try something a bit different than your typical falafel or shawarma, try the malfouf platter - cabbage stuffed with rice and meat.The staff here is also very friendly. One night we were cruising around looking for tobacco for the hookah and they sold it to us. I'm sure they don't get many requests for a quick fix of tobacco, but they made it happenI have yet to find a very traditional middle eastern food, so if anyone knows where to go, shoot me a message!This place is good in theory. Come lunch time I read the menu items and begin to salivate, seriously endangering my keyboard. But when my food arrives, I am always sorely disappointed. How good does spinach pie with feta and mozzarella sound? Awesome. How good does it look, after zapping it for a few seconds, yielding a lovely, gooey cheesy interior? Awesome. How does it taste? BLECH. The spinach itself is disgusting! It's heavily, heavily spiced, oozing reddish grease and polluting my taste buds with strange flavors. It gets to the point where I can't stomach the pie, and can only eat the spinachless, cheese filled corners. Waste of money. How wonderful does a leg of lamb sandwich sound, complimented by minty mayonnaise? Fucking awesome! I always love my leg of lamb pitas, but this sandwich does not do justice to that of Black Iris or Olive Vine. At all. It's nearly flavorless, and just dripping with watery "mayonnaise". Yes, it filled me up, but I want to ENJOY the food that I order if I'm going to splurge on take out. If you want to get some good Middle Eastern in this area, I would stick with Black Iris. Not only is the food better, but the name is far cooler!As a former Pratt kid, I loved this place.  Cheap food, bring your own beer (40's if youre classy) and really close to home.  A group of friends and I used to go every Friday night, ordered a decent amount of food and tipped well.  Even still, the waitress was always a huge bitch.  It was tolerable for a while, but then the food started to be put together sloppily, and the soup was served watered down and cold.  Their combo platter is awesome and I love their falafel, especially because they put pickle slices in it, but I just won't go back there anymore because of the terrible service.  They have a few new people on staff who are a bit friendlier, but I don't want to chance getting that horrid woman and just steer clear now.Also, their hookah is overpriced, and almost always tastes burnt.  Not too mention they don't clean them properly, if ever.  Don't waste your time here, go down the street to Black Iris.  Same price, great food and awesome staff.

by Andrew Z.Briana M.Emma H.Joe H.

Disclosure: I am half Lebanese (Not to be confused with lesbian). I have grown up eating middle eastern food at family events and holidays so I know good middle eastern food when I try it. Zaytoons is not exactly traditional middle eastern food, but it does have the most popular dishes. Matter of fact, I'm sitting here waiting for my kibbeh platter and spinach pie to be delivered as I write this.If you're looking to try something a bit different than your typical falafel or shawarma, try the malfouf platter - cabbage stuffed with rice and meat.The staff here is also very friendly. One night we were cruising around looking for tobacco for the hookah and they sold it to us. I'm sure they don't get many requests for a quick fix of tobacco, but they made it happenI have yet to find a very traditional middle eastern food, so if anyone knows where to go, shoot me a message!This place is good in theory. Come lunch time I read the menu items and begin to salivate, seriously endangering my keyboard. But when my food arrives, I am always sorely disappointed. How good does spinach pie with feta and mozzarella sound? Awesome. How good does it look, after zapping it for a few seconds, yielding a lovely, gooey cheesy interior? Awesome. How does it taste? BLECH. The spinach itself is disgusting! It's heavily, heavily spiced, oozing reddish grease and polluting my taste buds with strange flavors. It gets to the point where I can't stomach the pie, and can only eat the spinachless, cheese filled corners. Waste of money. How wonderful does a leg of lamb sandwich sound, complimented by minty mayonnaise? Fucking awesome! I always love my leg of lamb pitas, but this sandwich does not do justice to that of Black Iris or Olive Vine. At all. It's nearly flavorless, and just dripping with watery "mayonnaise". Yes, it filled me up, but I want to ENJOY the food that I order if I'm going to splurge on take out. If you want to get some good Middle Eastern in this area, I would stick with Black Iris. Not only is the food better, but the name is far cooler!As a former Pratt kid, I loved this place.  Cheap food, bring your own beer (40's if youre classy) and really close to home.  A group of friends and I used to go every Friday night, ordered a decent amount of food and tipped well.  Even still, the waitress was always a huge bitch.  It was tolerable for a while, but then the food started to be put together sloppily, and the soup was served watered down and cold.  Their combo platter is awesome and I love their falafel, especially because they put pickle slices in it, but I just won't go back there anymore because of the terrible service.  They have a few new people on staff who are a bit friendlier, but I don't want to chance getting that horrid woman and just steer clear now.Also, their hookah is overpriced, and almost always tastes burnt.  Not too mention they don't clean them properly, if ever.  Don't waste your time here, go down the street to Black Iris.  Same price, great food and awesome staff.Wow, they continue deliver the best fresh-baked pitas, hummus and lamb-kebabs in all of New York for the best price. If you want good middle eastern food go here. Don't waste your time with Black Iris. I have no interest in this-I just want the best for our community. I have found that all Middle-eastern restaurants skimp on everything that they are expected to deliver (Meat, pickles, hummus, falafel) Zaytoons will do it less if you remind them. The best hummus in the city. Do they use Sabra? Great lamb but very skimpy. Great flavorings in all…