Café Bar

Nico Albuja

Was served by the one and only Oscar tequila, very attentive and good vibes. The drinks, cant get any better than that I'd say highly recommend excellent service 👌.

Me and my pals love to visit happy hour Tuesday's. The food is amazing! But let's face it, DTLA has lots of great food. It was the SERVICE that made this fun! We love sitting at the bar with Oscar who makes outstanding drinks with great menu recommendations. WE LOVE HIM. Special thanks to the door man Dougie who convinced us to give Zaya a try. Thanks Dougie and Oscar !

I always passed by during my work and would see how lively this spot is. I decided to check this place out today 11/14/25 and it was better than I expected. The atmosphere is great and service was amazing. The food also was on point. The shrimp alfredo was so delicious and so was their pizza. Big props the the Chefs/kitchen staff. The live music was a big plus and did not disappoint. The staff was also very friendly and courteous. Server Madison did a really amazing job and was very attentive. 5 star service. Definitely recommend and will definitely be coming back.

I had an amazing experience at Zaya in downtown LA! Oscar, our bartender, made sure we were taken care of the entire brunch. The drinks were absolutely delicious, and the food was just as impressive. The ambiance is cozy and stylish—perfect for a date night or a fun girls’ night out. Highly recommend stopping by and asking for Oscar!

Absolutely amazing! The atmosphere, the venue, the incredible staff, the beautiful events by Jasmine Sweets and her team, the people who attend, the band.. chef’s kiss! If you live in LA or come to visit, you have to be here to experience what a good time truly feels like. Shoutout to everyone at Zaya 💜 -Cherell T

Rahma A

amazing vibe with great music, very fast service, drinks were made immediately upon ordering. Server was very attentive as well. Food was fresh and worth the price point.

Teresa Byrd

Great place for a fun time. We had a party of 15 so we’re sat upstairs. For a bigger party be sure to prearrange or your party might be split up. Overall food was great, ambience was good and music was fantastic

Cherell Terri

Absolutely amazing! The atmosphere, the venue, the incredible staff, the beautiful events by Jasmine Sweets and her team, the people who attend, the band.. chef’s kiss! If you live in LA or come to visit, you have to be here to experience what a good time truly feels like. Shoutout to everyone at Zaya 💜 -Cherell T

Natalie Vee

Me and my pals love to visit happy hour Tuesday's. The food is amazing! But let's face it, DTLA has lots of great food. It was the SERVICE that made this fun! We love sitting at the bar with Oscar who makes outstanding drinks with great menu recommendations. WE LOVE HIM. Special thanks to the door man Dougie who convinced us to give Zaya a try. Thanks Dougie and Oscar !

Nancy Chavez

I had an amazing experience at Zaya in downtown LA! Oscar, our bartender, made sure we were taken care of the entire brunch. The drinks were absolutely delicious, and the food was just as impressive. The ambiance is cozy and stylish—perfect for a date night or a fun girls’ night out. Highly recommend stopping by and asking for Oscar!

Sheonte Stevens

Oscar was an outstanding bartender Incredibly attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. His recommendations were spot-on, and he made the whole experience feel personalized. The atmosphere was amazing, the food was excellent, and the service truly made the visit memorable. Highly recommend and will definitely be back! ❤️ From Philly to LA 10/10

Roberto Michel

I always passed by during my work and would see how lively this spot is. I decided to check this place out today 11/14/25 and it was better than I expected. The atmosphere is great and service was amazing. The food also was on point. The shrimp alfredo was so delicious and so was their pizza. Big props the the Chefs/kitchen staff. The live music was a big plus and did not disappoint. The staff was also very friendly and courteous. Server Madison did a really amazing job and was very attentive. 5 star service. Definitely recommend and will definitely be coming back.

Christine Gaan

Popped into Zaya unplanned late following a concert. Although we didn’t necessarily meet their dress code standards, they were incredibly gracious, offered incredible and friendly service, and delivered delicious food — everything was terrific from appetizers and cocktails, to their pizza and dessert. Bonus: Live music and a beautiful atmosphere.

Zaya delivers a memorable, Italian-inspired dining experience with elevated flavors, excellent service, and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for a night out. My date and I visited for a dinner date and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the energy of the space. Ambiance & Cleanliness: The atmosphere at Zaya is exceptional. A live band performed R&B covers with smooth jazz infusions, adding a soulful, upscale feel to the evening. While the music contributed greatly to the overall vibe, it was louder than ideal, making conversation difficult without raising our voices. Despite being busy, the restaurant never felt overly crowded, and the space was clean, thoughtfully designed, and visually appealing. Seating, however, could be improved. Our table along the wall near the bar felt a bit awkward—either the chairs were too high or the small round table was too low, creating an uncomfortable angle while sitting. It wasn’t unbearable, and we eventually adjusted, but it did stand out during the first part of the meal. Parking was also a challenge. Without valet options and limited street parking, arrival felt less smooth than the rest of the experience. Service: Service was a strong point. Our server was consistently attentive without hovering, knowledgeable about the menu, and offered spot-on recommendations. Food and drinks arrived in a timely manner, and we never felt neglected or rushed. The staff’s familiarity with the menu and ingredients added to the overall professionalism of the experience. Food Quality: We ordered the crab cake appetizer, Alfredo pasta, lamb chops, and broccolini, along with two cocktails—mine a bourbon-based drink and my date’s lemon drop–inspired cocktail with tequila substituted for vodka. Every dish was served hot, well-seasoned, and thoughtfully portioned. The crab cake was flavorful with a well-balanced texture, the Alfredo pasta was rich without being overly heavy, and the lamb chops were tender and perfectly cooked. Portion sizes struck the ideal balance: enough to feel satisfied without needing to take leftovers home. Both cocktails were well crafted and complemented the dishes nicely. Price & Value: Considering the quality, portion sizes, and overall experience, Zaya offers strong value. Nothing felt overpriced, and the quality of the food aligned well with the cost. Final Thoughts: Zaya is a standout choice for a special night out, offering excellent food, great service, and an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and lively. While the loud music, seating comfort, and parking situation presented minor challenges, the overall experience was impressive. I look forward to returning for a future date night and would recommend Zaya to anyone seeking flavorful Italian-inspired cuisine in a mature, vibrant setting.

ZAYA delivers a lively night out with great live music and a polished downtown vibe. Reservations for our group of six required a $150 deposit, which was smoothly deducted from the final check- no issues there. The food landed mostly strong. The spinach artichoke dip was hands down the best I’ve ever had... rich, hot, and addictive (best with an order of bread). For dinner, the Alfredo Affair did its job and left me satisfied. One dish missed the mark: the Midnight Mushroom Marsala came out a bit too liquidy for my friend, and she sent it back. I’m not a drinker, but the spritzy mocktail was fun enough to mingle, and the rest of the table genuinely enjoyed their cocktails. Service could use some polishing, but honestly, I’d rather average service than bad food—and ZAYA gets that part mostly right. A solid DTLA spot with room to grow.

Chow Check

ZAYA delivers a lively night out with great live music and a polished downtown vibe. Reservations for our group of six required a $150 deposit, which was smoothly deducted from the final check- no issues there. The food landed mostly strong. The spinach artichoke dip was hands down the best I’ve ever had... rich, hot, and addictive (best with an order of bread). For dinner, the Alfredo Affair did its job and left me satisfied. One dish missed the mark: the Midnight Mushroom Marsala came out a bit too liquidy for my friend, and she sent it back. I’m not a drinker, but the spritzy mocktail was fun enough to mingle, and the rest of the table genuinely enjoyed their cocktails. Service could use some polishing, but honestly, I’d rather average service than bad food—and ZAYA gets that part mostly right. A solid DTLA spot with room to grow.

Jeremy Scruggs

Zaya delivers a memorable, Italian-inspired dining experience with elevated flavors, excellent service, and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for a night out. My date and I visited for a dinner date and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the energy of the space. Ambiance & Cleanliness: The atmosphere at Zaya is exceptional. A live band performed R&B covers with smooth jazz infusions, adding a soulful, upscale feel to the evening. While the music contributed greatly to the overall vibe, it was louder than ideal, making conversation difficult without raising our voices. Despite being busy, the restaurant never felt overly crowded, and the space was clean, thoughtfully designed, and visually appealing. Seating, however, could be improved. Our table along the wall near the bar felt a bit awkward—either the chairs were too high or the small round table was too low, creating an uncomfortable angle while sitting. It wasn’t unbearable, and we eventually adjusted, but it did stand out during the first part of the meal. Parking was also a challenge. Without valet options and limited street parking, arrival felt less smooth than the rest of the experience. Service: Service was a strong point. Our server was consistently attentive without hovering, knowledgeable about the menu, and offered spot-on recommendations. Food and drinks arrived in a timely manner, and we never felt neglected or rushed. The staff’s familiarity with the menu and ingredients added to the overall professionalism of the experience. Food Quality: We ordered the crab cake appetizer, Alfredo pasta, lamb chops, and broccolini, along with two cocktails—mine a bourbon-based drink and my date’s lemon drop–inspired cocktail with tequila substituted for vodka. Every dish was served hot, well-seasoned, and thoughtfully portioned. The crab cake was flavorful with a well-balanced texture, the Alfredo pasta was rich without being overly heavy, and the lamb chops were tender and perfectly cooked. Portion sizes struck the ideal balance: enough to feel satisfied without needing to take leftovers home. Both cocktails were well crafted and complemented the dishes nicely. Price & Value: Considering the quality, portion sizes, and overall experience, Zaya offers strong value. Nothing felt overpriced, and the quality of the food aligned well with the cost. Final Thoughts: Zaya is a standout choice for a special night out, offering excellent food, great service, and an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and lively. While the loud music, seating comfort, and parking situation presented minor challenges, the overall experience was impressive. I look forward to returning for a future date night and would recommend Zaya to anyone seeking flavorful Italian-inspired cuisine in a mature, vibrant setting.

Came for a NYE event & really enjoyed the food & cocktails. The space is romantic & they have live music (mostly jazz) pretty often.

I’ve been to Zaya on two occasions: one for date night and the other for New Year’s Eve and both times, I enjoyed the food. Their pizza is delicious when it’s fresh lol and they have exceptional drinks. I definitely recommend coming on a night when there’s live entertainment because the place is pretty dull without it. It was very noisy in the main dining room because they keep the front door open, so all I could hear were conversations and cars passing by. But the food is good which is why I went back for NYE. My partner and I did the VIP dinner, upstairs, and it was worth the money for sure! Their buffet was amazing and so was the live band. I hope they do it again this year!

This review is for Kaylen, my server from last night. I really enjoyed the band, but I felt like the food was just okay. However, having a server like Kaylen made all the difference. She was exceptional—friendly, relatable, attentive, and truly on point throughout the night. The quality of service can make or break your experience, and I honestly feel that without her, my visit would have been just average. Her uplifting attitude and genuine care elevated the entire evening. Thank you, Kaylen, for your outstanding service and positive energy!

Nyla

Good music and good service. The only downfall was the food. Limited menu options and it took a long time for our food to be delivered. I added chicken to my dish and it wasn't fresh.

Corinth King

I’ve been to Zaya on two occasions: one for date night and the other for New Year’s Eve and both times, I enjoyed the food. Their pizza is delicious when it’s fresh lol and they have exceptional drinks. I definitely recommend coming on a night when there’s live entertainment because the place is pretty dull without it. It was very noisy in the main dining room because they keep the front door open, so all I could hear were conversations and cars passing by. But the food is good which is why I went back for NYE. My partner and I did the VIP dinner, upstairs, and it was worth the money for sure! Their buffet was amazing and so was the live band. I hope they do it again this year!

Zaya DTLA has a really nice vibe. It is the kind of place you go to enjoy the atmosphere and the setting. I went with a group of friends, and while the food and drinks were decent, the experience was more about the environment. I recommend going when there is live music and making a reservation ahead of time. If you are looking for a spot with a great vibe, this is a good choice.

Unique Dandridge

Zaya DTLA has a really nice vibe. It is the kind of place you go to enjoy the atmosphere and the setting. I went with a group of friends, and while the food and drinks were decent, the experience was more about the environment. I recommend going when there is live music and making a reservation ahead of time. If you are looking for a spot with a great vibe, this is a good choice.

The ambience was cute and they had a jazz band with a singer which gave the place a nice vibe. But the service was terrible. We barely saw our server the entire night. I ordered the steak pasta and it came with a measly four pieces of overcooked steak. My food came out first and my friend’s salmon didn’t arrive until 30 minutes later. I complained and they did comp my pasta which I appreciated, but they still added a 20% gratuity based on the original bill. The total was $39 with a $19 gratuity. That’s crazy. The atmosphere was nice but the service and food quality didn’t match the price. I’d maybe come for drinks but not stay for food. Also their tap water was disgusting so I had to pay for bottled. Not worth it.

Marli Crowe

The ambience was cute and they had a jazz band with a singer which gave the place a nice vibe. But the service was terrible. We barely saw our server the entire night. I ordered the steak pasta and it came with a measly four pieces of overcooked steak. My food came out first and my friend’s salmon didn’t arrive until 30 minutes later. I complained and they did comp my pasta which I appreciated, but they still added a 20% gratuity based on the original bill. The total was $39 with a $19 gratuity. That’s crazy. The atmosphere was nice but the service and food quality didn’t match the price. I’d maybe come for drinks but not stay for food. Also their tap water was disgusting so I had to pay for bottled. Not worth it.

I loved the music , ambience and food. The band was awesome. However, when we received our bill we noticed it wasn’t what we added up. Until I saw the $28 service fee added to the bill. I sat at the bar, we couldn’t get a table because I didn’t make reservations, so why is this added to my tab? I thought about coming here for brunch but no thank you! The next time I’ll grab food and drinks BEFORE I visit here again.

Kesha Shadwick

I loved the music , ambience and food. The band was awesome. However, when we received our bill we noticed it wasn’t what we added up. Until I saw the $28 service fee added to the bill. I sat at the bar, we couldn’t get a table because I didn’t make reservations, so why is this added to my tab? I thought about coming here for brunch but no thank you! The next time I’ll grab food and drinks BEFORE I visit here again.

I was genuinely looking forward to dining here, but my experience fell far short of expectations. Our server, Carla G., displayed a noticeably poor attitude and provided very low-quality customer service from the beginning. There was no acknowledgement, no apology for delays, and no effort to provide a positive experience. Customer service training would be highly beneficial, because serving requires a willingness to deliver hospitality—and that was entirely missing. Isaiah, the manager, was the complete opposite: warm, professional, and helpful. His service mindset is exactly what the rest of the team should be modeling. Another concern: after the hostess informed us that we could be seated in the lounge area, Carla sent another employee to tell us that we could not. The lack of communication and consistency was frustrating and unnecessary. The 20% “entertainment fee” is also troubling. There was no entertainment at all between 11am and 1pm, yet I was still charged the fee. I did not receive the benefit of what I was forced to pay for, and that should be addressed immediately. Service execution was also poor. For a party of only three, food arrived at completely different times. My eggs were brought out, but the rest of my meal did not arrive for at least 10 minutes—and no explanation or apology was provided. Overall, this was not an excellent experience, and I left disappointed. I truly hoped for more, but based on this visit, I cannot recommend the restaurant.

Raine

I was genuinely looking forward to dining here, but my experience fell far short of expectations. Our server, Carla G., displayed a noticeably poor attitude and provided very low-quality customer service from the beginning. There was no acknowledgement, no apology for delays, and no effort to provide a positive experience. Customer service training would be highly beneficial, because serving requires a willingness to deliver hospitality—and that was entirely missing. Isaiah, the manager, was the complete opposite: warm, professional, and helpful. His service mindset is exactly what the rest of the team should be modeling. Another concern: after the hostess informed us that we could be seated in the lounge area, Carla sent another employee to tell us that we could not. The lack of communication and consistency was frustrating and unnecessary. The 20% “entertainment fee” is also troubling. There was no entertainment at all between 11am and 1pm, yet I was still charged the fee. I did not receive the benefit of what I was forced to pay for, and that should be addressed immediately. Service execution was also poor. For a party of only three, food arrived at completely different times. My eggs were brought out, but the rest of my meal did not arrive for at least 10 minutes—and no explanation or apology was provided. Overall, this was not an excellent experience, and I left disappointed. I truly hoped for more, but based on this visit, I cannot recommend the restaurant.