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Zaytinya
Modern Mediterranean flavors crafted by José Andrés in a vibrant, shareable dining experience.
4.6(5 reviews)
restaurant
$$$
Modern Mediterranean flavors crafted by José Andrés in a vibrant, shareable dining experience.
Zaytinya in Culver City is a celebrated Mediterranean restaurant by renowned chef José Andrés, offering a modern twist on Greek, Lebanese, and Turkish cuisine. Known for its small plates perfect for sharing, the menu features standout dishes like baba ghannouge, fresh pita, and flavorful kebabs, with options like the Chef’s Experience tasting menu. The ambiance blends elegant blue hues with a warm, inviting vibe, including a heated patio. With a 4.7/5 rating, it’s a go-to spot for food enthusiasts seeking an upscale yet approachable dining adventure.
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A curated multi-course meal featuring signature small plates and desserts, guided by server recommendations.
Shareable Mediterranean dishes like baba ghannouge, halloumi, and kebabs, ideal for sampling diverse flavors.
Outdoor dining area with heating, accommodating guests and pet-friendly options in a comfortable setting.
Expertly crafted beverages complementing the menu, including wine and specialty cocktails.
Booking services for dinners and events, with attentive staff to manage crowds and enhance the experience.
First time dining at Zaytinya and we absolutely loved it. We chose the Chef’s Experience and, although we initially thought the portions might be small, it turned out to be so much food — and every single dish was amazing. Truly outstanding from start to finish. Our server, Aory, was phenomenal. He explained everything thoroughly, walked us through all the options, and made sure we were happy with our selections, which we absolutely were. The drinks were excellent, the food was incredible, and the overall experience was fantastic. Highly recommend Zaytinya — we can’t wait to come back.
One of my favorite restaurants from when I lived back in Washington, D.C. so I was thrilled when I heard that Jose Andres was bringing this one to Los Angeles. We ordered so many of the dishes on the menu and they were all phenomenal. We went opening week and they managed the crowd so well, since it's in a hotel there's a lot of comfy space to hang out while you wait for your table. I'm always such a fan of the fresh pita they bring out and how you can dip it in anything on the menu. Can't wait to go back!
I've been here twice now, and whilst there are some great aspects of this place, overall I've left a bit disappointed (and even a bit sick). The first time I went the server seemed ill informed about the menu. The second time the server, Mike, was 5 stars! He was incredibly friendly, educated and helpful guiding us through the menu. Food-wise, I've tried the following dishes: BABA GHANNOUGE FATTOUSH DOLMADES SEARED HALLOUMI IMAM BAYILDI SEA SCALLOPS BLACK COD SALMON ADANA KEBAB My dining partners had the CHICKEN SOUP AVGOLEMONO (loved!), GREEK YOGURT AND PEARS (liked) and pear sorbet (also loved!) For me, the baba ghannouge and imam bayildi stand out. I will never order seafood here again. It's incredibly underwhelming and just wasn't good. The cod and the salmon fell short, overcooked and clearly not very fresh. The scallops were the worst scallops I've ever tasted. The texture was stringy and the flavor was off. That may or may not be the reason my stomach felt sick after the meal. Everything else - the fattoush, dolmades, adana kebab were average. The restaurant would could be improved by 1) upping their seafood game, significantly, and 2) improving the consistency. The service experience was far and away different my second visit than the first (and they were only a couple weeks apart). I'd consider returning, but I'd stay away from the seafood and just hope I end up with the better service.
I haven’t been to many upscale Mediterranean restaurants, but I can confidently say Zaytinya is not just the best Mediterranean spot I’ve tried—it’s easily one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to, period. Our server let us know that most of the plates are small and recommended we go with the chef’s tasting menu. We took his advice and wow, what an experience! Twelve dishes and two desserts later, our taste buds were completely in shock. I’ve never been a big fan of tasting menus, but this one totally changed my mind. The meal started off light, built up to the main proteins, and wrapped up with more veggie dishes. And the desserts? Mind-blowingly good. No joke, I’d go back just for the coffee and dessert. Bonus points for their heated patio, which means my furry buddy can join me too. Can’t recommend this place enough!
My husband and I were in the area and decided to grab lunch, we couldn’t have stumbled upon a better hidden gem than Zaytinya. To our surprise, it’s a José Andrés restaurant, and it absolutely lived up to the name! The ambience is stunning, with beautiful blue hues and a vibe that perfectly blends modern elegance with Mediterranean warmth. The food? Incredible!!!! It's a flavorful twist on classic dishes from Lebanon and Greece. The small appetizer portions are perfect for sharing and trying a bit of everything. The baba ghanoush and falafel were standouts, so fresh and flavorful. We also loved their take on balsamic and olive oil, infused with pomegranate molasses — dipping the freshly baked pita in it was chef's kiss. Don’t skip the fattoush salad — it’s a must! This spot is definitely on our repeat list. If you’re coming for dinner, make sure to book a reservation — this place is a gem worth planning for!
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