by A B.

Kind of pricey and the shwarma seemed to be marinated steak instead of sliced fresh off a meat cone. The owner talks to everyone, which does lend a friendly atmosphere to the place (though I wasn't asked to smell her neck :). Seriously, if price was no object, this place would get 4 stars from me. Certainly, for those who think "I am too poor to buy cheap", this place is the only option.

by Coby C.

I just went to this place last weekend for a birthday party for a friend of mine.  I was told that it was her opening night.  Coupled with the fact they were hosting a party on the first night, it wasn't quite organized.  But I felt like the owner made up for the lack of organization with just good ol fashioned customer service.  She is very personable.  I ate the chicken shawarma which I thought was delicious.  A little pricey but delicious.  The entertainment was a bit cheesey.  What I mean by that is they have a belly dancer on hand but she's not very good.  Other than that I had a nice experience there.  It's quite a ways up north from where I live but if I'm ever in that neighborhood I would stop and eat there again.

by veek n.

you definitely want a strategy at zakia's and here is mine: eat as many different things as you can (this is not unlike the strategy i usually use when i eat, but i digress). one way to do this is to order several appetizers instead of an entree, which is what i did.i had their small greek salad ($3.95) - and really, the only departure from the traditional greek salads that i ate multiple times a day for the 12 days i was in greece is that zakia adds some hearts of romaine to hers - which is a great compliment to the tomatos, cukes, kalamatas, red onions, and (real, genuine, good-as-it-gets) feta, lightly dressed with a delicious mint and EVOO viniagrette.we also had- the tzatziki appetizer ($3.95) served with warm fresh pita wedges- the dolmas aka "dalmades" ($3.95)- the moussaka appetizer also served with warm fresh pita wedges ($4.95)helpful hint: the dolmas come with a large scoop of tzatziki so if you're going for the dolmas, you might want to forgo the tzatziki appetizer and try the hummus instead - unless you're an absolute tzatziki addict (which with zakia's tzatziki, may be in your future).my date helped with my apps and also had the lamb souvlaki ($13.95) which included a really generous serving of lamb accompanied by fresh pita, a small greek salad, and slightly unimaginative saffron rice.  date's report: it was cooked perfectly, very flavorful, and tasted great.everything was delicious.  everything reminded me of our trip.  atmosphere is casual and cozy. service was really *outstanding*.  we will definitely be back.   OOPA!

by Miriam D.

Finally made it over to Zakia after several months of driving by. I must say I was pretty impressed.Areas of improvement.... The prices were as everyone mentioned a bit high.  It also took them a while to bring out our food, but she did come tell let us know that our pizza had to be baked so it would take a while.Also the inside was a tab bit small. We sat by the cash register and a few times throughout our dinner we had a crowd around our table. Not fun.Areas of excellence: Wait staff was really nice and friendly. We never had to wait for refills on water. The food was good.  I had a Gyro (not the combo) and my husband ordered a pizza. The pizza was surprisingly good. But I agree with others that have said it's more of a Mediterranean restaurant than strictly Greek. We also had  tzatziki which was a very healthy portion, but the Pita to go along with it wasn't enough. We were left with tons of tzatziki and no pita. My husband also had a small greek salad which was fresh and good. The dressing was also really tasty. Lastly the owner (I think she was the owner) was really nice. I saw her go around from table to table chatting up a storm. She cashed us out and was just delightful.We will go back .... but we'd probably go more often if the prices were a little more reasonable.

by Kayla H.

By far one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had! Save your money and your sanity! If you enjoy waiting 20 min. for drinks after having to ask 3 separate times, every ones food being served separately at 10 min. intervals, and listening to the crazy owner running around yelling then this is the place for you. This has been my second attempt to eat there because I live so close and both times have been major disappointments! After our troubles were brought to Zakia's attention by our entire party she became defensive and did nothing to make the situation right. We will never eat there again and make sure to tell everyone what happened there.

by Adam D.

I can't disagree with people who complain that Zakia's is pricey. I paid twenty for a full lunch, drink, desert and tip. But I loved every bite. And I have to wonder -- how much did the the beer at Cheer's cost (maybe that's why Norm couldn't pay his tab)? Because what comes to mind when I visit Zakia's. She has never met a stranger, she remembers everyone and loves to socialize - you feel right at home with her bubbly Greek personality. And the food! I adore greek food and this is some of the best in Austin, in my opinion. I highly recommend the Greek Passion lemonade. It's infused with rose water and hibiscus flowers. I've never tasted anything like it. The hummus appetizer is flavorful too - the bread is extra fresh, the dip has lots of garlic (mix it with the oil). I had the shawarma, but while it was tasty, the gyro is the way to go. The beef shwarma was a bit bland compared to the heartier mutton. I also hear that the greek salad is a house specialty. The flavors in the pistachio baklava were excellent - smooth, buttery and well balanced. Zakia herself has Greek roots so she knows how things are supposed to taste for a truly savory experience. And unless you have a Greek mother, this is probably the closest you'll get to a home-cooked Greek meal.

by alicia k.

I have been wanting to try this place since it opened. After reading all the great reviews, I went in for dinner on Wednesday. The Good: The ambiance is nice. The restaurant looks clean and there is a nice covered patio outside. The service was prompt and they gave my children a couple of blowpops. The Bad: We were one of two tables at the restaurant.The Ugly: THE FOOD! Although I don't know what Greek food is suppose to taste like, but the food here is not only nothing special, it is poorly prepared. I ordered the children's grilled cheese and fries. The grilled cheese sandwich had no grill marks and the fries were not crispy. Now, you know fries are bad when both my sons refused to eat them. I ordered the lamb souvlaki and the extremely greasy spanakopita. The spanakopita tasted like the frozen ones you can buy at Costco. The lamb  souvlaki was cut into four thin rounds, served with some oven roasted small potatoes and a salad. The lamb was encrusted in pepper so all I  tasted was pepper on top of a dry piece of meat. The oven roasted potatoes were soft and again, over seasoned with salt, black pepper, and a hint of rosemary. I prefer my oven roasted potatoes to have a slight crispy crust on the outside. The side salad was fresh, but the dressing lacked flavor. The pita is the same as the bags at HEB. The tzetziki sauce that they game me was curdled. It was sour and had a layer of water on top.

by Christine M.

The boyfriend and I finally got around to a return visit to Zakia's.  And they recognized me... *cringe*  I guess a certain infamy goes hand-in-hand with being "First to Review", but they were sweet and didn't embarrass me too much... lol.We got hummus again and splurged on tyropita as an additional appetizer, on the owner's recommendation.  WOW.  Just wow.  The tyropita was fantastic and I highly recommend it, though be aware that it only comes with two pieces... :'(For my meal, I got the #2 vegetarian platter.  The falafel, baba ganoush, and pita bread were magnificent!  The dolmades and rice were quite good as well.  The cilantro green beans were... um... potent.  Not bad, just *strong*.  The taste of cilantro and (raw) garlic lingered in my throat well into the next day.  I'm normally a huge garlic fan, but I think I'll have to pass on the green beans next time.  No harm, no foul.  :)With two appetizers, two entrees, and dessert, we got out of there for a smidge under $50 (this was with tax+tip). In search of a Greek place in Austin that's NOT cafeteria-style (I love you Tino's Zorba's, but…

by erik w.

Quick update:I just went back and the service was a better - I think they may have just been understaffed last time I went.  Also, the falafel was not even close to as greasy as it was last time.  Much better experience overall. Pretty good! I went to Zakia's for lunch today and I got the best Falafel wrap I have had since I…

by Tee D.

Boo, no half-star capabilities. Zakias falls somewhere between a 3 and 4. Overall, what I had was good: I ordered the lemon chicken soup, greek salad, and hummus. The soup was rich and flavorful, and had subtle hints of citrus in it. I loved it. The hummus was okay. I think it was the texture that was a bit off putting. It was grainy and a little chunky. Does that make it more authentic? I've never had it that chunky before. It was Greek to me. Bahaha.Anyway, the service was speedy and cordial. The owner was quite exuberant and too friendly. She even asked my friend to smell her neck. My only complaint: my jacket retained the smell of the restaurant for about 2 days. I smelled like garlic. Here, smell MY neck!

by lisa B.

The place already gets a special gold star for location.  I usually curse the distance I have to travel to just about everything I like in Austin, so you don't even know how happy I was to find a place that is NOT a chain close to home (walking distance, no less!).The place is super cute and quaint.  It was a bit stifling inside - but they have a large patio area to enjoy an Austin evening outside.  The owner is cheery and has much pride in her restaurant.  It has a great neighborhood vibe - which you just don't find in many Northern establishments.  Who wouldn't want to support such a place.My friend I split the chicken soulvaki dinner, with the hummus as a starter.  Umm.. YUM!!  The chicken had a great flavor to it - and all white chicken meat.  No parts here!  The hummus was all garlicky goodness - with plenty of pita.  We had ample food split for the two of us - with leftovers!   I'm sure a bigger eater would be able to finish a plate on their own, but it was the perfect amount for us - a tasty dinner on the cheap.  What can I say.... I'm on a budget!

by Sood P.

My wife and I tried Zakia's and were super impressed at the quality of food here. The meats are very flavorful and are about as good as they get! (9/10)  Gyro PitaSpit-roasted and double grilled Gyro meat with fresh tomato, grilled onion and tzatziki cucumber sauce wrapped in a toasted pita bread. The pita is generously stuffed with gyro meat and tastes fantastic! There is a perfect amount of tzatziki sauce inside. This may be one of the best gyros we have had in Austin.(8/10) Chicken SouvlakiSeasoned white meat chicken breast kabobs served skewered with lemon wedges and served on a bed of roasted pita bread. Platter comes with a side of Greek salad and choice of seasoned french fries or saffron rice. The salad is pretty good - the feta sprinkled on top is a nice touch. The chicken is soft, juicy and has a delicious authenticity to it. The pita is a bit soggy, only because the chicken rests on top of it. The saffron rice is nice, but not for foodies who prefer subtle flavors. It is kind of tangy. Overall, this dish will have you smiling and wanting more.(8/10)  Beef SouvlakiMarinated Black Angus sirloin butterfly-grilled and served on a bed of roasted pita bread. Platter comes with a side of Greek salad and choice of seasoned french fries or saffron rice. Hallelujah! Zakia's really knows how to cook a mean beef souvlaki! The beef was tender and robust with flavor. Wrap the beef in a piece of pita and dipped into the tzetziki sauce for mouth-watering goodness in every bite!(5/10)  Lamb SouvlakiMarinated Australian lamb loin, butterfly-grilled and served on a bed of roasted pita bread. Platter comes with a side of Greek salad and choice of seasoned french fries or saffron rice. To be unbiased, we must mention we ordered this dish and asked for it to be made with less salt. We're not sure if that was the only factor resulting in its blandness or if the lamb is not seasoned as much as the other meats. Although it is juicy, it is definitely lacking compared to the other platters.(8/10)  Chicken ShawarmaSeasoned white meat chicken breast, thinly sliced and grilled with Romaine lettuce, tomato, onion, garlic pickles and tzatziki cucumber sauce wrapped in a toasted pita bread. This Shawarma is not like your average one. There is plenty of meat inside, but the chicken in the souvlaki tastes better. Normally shawarmas leave us desiring more because they tend to be plain, but this one delivers!Service (7/10)We dined at Zakia's on a busy Saturday night, but were seated promptly since we had reservations. Surprisingly, the waitstaff consisted of only one waiter and the owner.  It took some time to get our water, however, they did service several of our requests in a timely manner.  We were disappointed that our food did not come out at the same time, which reminds us of fast-food chains.  At the end of our meal, Zakia apologized for not spending time at our table and chatting with us due to the crowd.Ambiance (7/10)Zakia's Greek Cuisine is a small, casually elegant restaurant that recently opened in Northwest Austin.  If you are looking a step-up from the cafeteria style Tino's Greek Cafe, this is the place to go.  Depending on the night, Zakia's offers entertainment such as CD music, belly-dancing, and live music.  Given the price of the food and the type of ambiance, it is odd that patrons must pay at the cash register.  The prices are a bit steep, so don't expect to pay $5 for a wrap.  Since seating is limited, this restaurant is not good for large groups. Zakia's is BYOB, so don't forget to bring a bottle to enjoy with the delicious food!

by Kayla Z.

I was dissapointed when moving to Austin that there were no good true greek resturaunts in my Area. Then I found Zakia's and I am lucky enough to live within walking distance.  I have eaten here over a dozen times and have yet to be dissapointed.  The Gyro meat is seasoned like no other in Austin.  Their Spanikopita is fabulous as well as their Hummus (only like $4 bucks!).  I discovered not only is this a Greek resturaunt it is also a Hookah lounge.  I have taken my dad and also had to drag my better half who could of sworn he hated Greek here for dinner. Not anymore, Zakias has made him a changed man.  Another cool thing that we were suprised to learn is that it is always BYOB, great way to save $, with no opening or set up fee, they even bring wine glasses and an opener to the table.Iam not sure about the schedule but I do know they have bellydancing and great live music on Saturdays.  Zakia herself even visits your table and personally closes your check out to ensure you had good service and most importantly exceptional food.

by RONALD W.

I haven't eaten at any other Greek restaurants in Austin, so I am really comparing to those in Seattle.Had the hummus appetizer and lamb souvlaki. Iced tea and a cap for beverages. Everything was good and in large quantity, but I do think the price tag is on the high side. $23/person before tip.

by Christine A.

Last Friday, at the suggestion of our friends, we dined at Zakia's, a Greek restaurant in Round Rock.  When I worked for the Legislature, we would eat fantastic Greek food at least once a week at a restaurant in the space where Charlie's is located I can't remember the name but this former restaurant was amazing and it takes alot to impress me with Greek food.  We started our meal with several appetizers served with warm pita bread and Greek olives.  I have never tasted hummus so tangy and perfect and the feta cheese was to die for.  I would have been happy with only appetizers but we wanted the full Greek experience so the mister and I shared a heavenly bowl of moussaka.  Our bowl was filled with tender beef cooked with eggplant, bell peppers and potatoes in a delicate tomato sauce that tasted like someone's Greek grandmother had been stirring it on the stove all day.  I thought the serving was small, though, for the $13.95 we paid.I was a little disappointed in the pistachio baklava.  It was very small--three bites maybe and a tad dry--but it only cost $2.50.  I would have preferred paying more for a larger slice.  We sipped Turkish tea and coffee lingering over our three bite baklava while chatting with our friends.  Zakia's is well worth a visit for quality Greek food.

by Andrew T.

I came here because my friend is one of the chefs. I didn't expect much, just wanted to support him. First off, the owner Zakia, is a trip! She is soooo friendly and easy to talk to. On my first visit, I wasn't super hungry, so they suggested the gyro combo. The gyro was verrrrrry good. It was packed with fresh veggies, and the gyro meat was delicious. The fries that accompanied the gyro sandwich were awesome! And I'm not a big fry person to say the least. Something about the seasoning, but it is not overly salty, with a hint of sweet. My friend also let me sample the babaganush and hummus. Both were delicious, but there babaganush is the best I have ever tasted. I visited again two days later, right before my trip home to Plano, TX. This time, I felt hunger pains and ordered the beef platter. My friend ordered the lamb platter. The beef was delicious. Perfectly cooked, moist and juicy. The lamb was good, as well. The Greek salad that came with the platters was delicious. You have to try their homemade Greek dressing. Best Greek dressing I have had. The baklava i had may have been the only downfall. It tasted like generic baklava you can buy from a generic Greek bakery. Anytime I visit Austin, I will definitely stop by and eat here. Good food, friendly staff, and i don't go away hungry!