Zeus Cafe at Crystal Hotel Reviews

We love the McMenanins in Bothell, WA, and wanted to check out this location. We split a pizza, the special of the day, and it was very good. Fun ambience, lights and windows.

Stopped here for breakfast and to try the “bacon infused Bloody Mary” I heard about from a travel brochure. Service was excellent, the Bloody Mary was fantastic, the food was ok, it was just a little fancy for my tastes. I had the seasonal scramble with cheesy grits. The scramble was eggs with fresh green beans and squash. The green beans were crisp and tasty. Wasn’t a fan of the cheesy grits. The toast was a wheat grain and was delicious.

We ended up here for a Saturday breakfast after the newest trendy place had a three hour wait. We had a good breakfast in a pleasant atmosphere with good service. It might not have been fancy but we left happy and full.

Staying at the Crystal Hotel allowed us to enjoy breakfast at Zeus two days. Fabulous service, inventive menu, great specials. Yes, you can have eggs, meat, potatoes, and toast but this ain't a greasy spoon diner. Branch out and have creamy polenta with your breakfast special!

Yes, I know the top feature of a restaurant should always be the food, but the decor in this beautiful old building is too stunning not to mention. A late breakfast after spending way too long at Powell's Books brought us to Zeus. We chose the Spanish eggs and the Ham Benedict...both winners. The menu is creative and the chef executes perfectly. It was too chilly to take advantage of the outdoor seating but our window booth also provided great people watching. The bar looked interesting enough to come back for drinks and dinner.

First for Historic building buffs this building is an absolute marvel, a unique restoration of a one of a kind building. (Just go for the architecture). Second they have an amazing selection of exclusive seasonal craft beers. Thirdly the menu is filled with innovative and delicious oddities and marvels Lastly, and most amazingly, our server was a true devotee of his craft. Obviously he loves his job and his knowledge of the breadth and depth of the beverage and culinary offerings as well as the historical and cultural significance of the building and the current re-ignition of the concept of having a contemporary bistro of great repute live up to its eponymous divinity was well worth the visit.

The hotel staff had hardly recomended the cafe for breakfast and they were right, they have delicious options.

The service was amazing, the food was better. The service wasn't only amazing, but our maitre'd checked on us a few times to make sure we were happy with everything. We were very happy with the quality of the food, the price was relatively reasonable and downright delicious. Not a great spot for little kids, but for older ones it's fine. Absolutely wonderful that they were flexible when our party grew after we'd been seated - it's things like that which made our visit so much easier and better! We'll be back!

a wonderful experience, really cool Portland Chic attitude, really good food and service. we really were lucky that the first place we tried (highly rated on trip advisor) was busy and we found this on our way out of the city. parking is street side but seemed to be no problem. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and offered a lot of off menu variety. Food was very good all around and the coffee is fantastic. A part of the cool arts personality of Portland with awesome crystal lamps.

Zeus's is quirky and quaint--almost worth a visit just for a atmosphere. I had a the scrambled eggs with goat cheese which was wonderful. Perfectly fluffy eggs and a hint of cheese. The waitstaff was friendly and efficient even though she was the only one of the floor. Next time I'm in Portland I'll try the cafe for lunch or dinner. And it's a good respite from hours browsing at nearby Powells...

Unimpressed with the atmosphere and service. We ordered one drink and chose not to stay for food. The bartender seemed bored and unwilling to make standard cocktails.

I was very glad I stopped in for brunch. Excellent food and choices with great art deco and atmosphere right in the Pearl. The staff is excellent as well. I think I will stay at the Crystal next time!

Fantastic food (we've had breakfasts, cocktails, and dinners here), great service, reasonably priced, accessible location. Love it.

This is a must-visit restaurant. Fantastic food, atmosphere, and super-attentive (but not intrusive) service. We'll definitely be back.

Nice restaurant where you can eat outside, had local band playing in the street when we were there. Good burgers, a little pricey, but everywhere is there. Many beers to choose from.

The pizza was quite good in my opinion & their tacos were also. We didn’t have plans on where we were heading but glad that we stopped in.

Not the best atmosphere and the food was just OK. Wine pours were very small and expensive. Food was kind of lackluster. I will not be returning

Three of us had brunch here on a recent Saturday. The Bloody Marys were excellent; nice and spicy. All of us enjoyed our meals: breakfast burrito, eggs Benedict and biscuits with bacon gravy. The biscuit meal was a little small, but the burrito was huge. The coffee was the best I’ve had in Portland; very smooth.

We stopped in mid-afternoon for drinks and dessert. A great chipotle brownie. My son had a berry cobbler and my husband a caramel type of custard(?) - it was all amazing! Nice selection of drink options. Clean, nice ambiance. Outdoor seating - on the sidewalk along the street - bistro style small tables. Decent size restaurant - could accommodate larger parties/groups.

I stopped by to get a pint of cider on Labor Day. It was hot and smoky and I felt more like have a drink than eating. I had sat at the bar in a corner and didn't seemed to be served. So I moved to a a place easier to be seen. It wasn't long before someone stopped by to serve me. I drank my cider and then walked around to admire all the art on the walls. There is plenty in here to look at and that is the big attraction for me in the Zeus Cafe.

We stopped in for drinks on our way to dinner, and we were pleasantly surprised. They had a couple of wine testers, which I enjoyed very much. The service was friendly and attentive. While we didn't eat there, the food that we saw coming out looked and smelled delicious.

I had time to kill before a concert down at the Star Theater and thought I would check out the 105th Birthday Free-for-all that was happening at the Crystal Ballroom and various places of their nearby. And man they were all jammed packed with people. But Zeus Cafe actually was not crowed. So I opted to go here for a pint and a snack to kill time. Better to get something nice before you get inside a concert venue. So I tend to drop in at a McMenamins if I am downtown for a show It was relaxed, easy going, and a I was really please to just spend some time here. I ordered a pint of Irish Stout and an order of French Fries. it was well past Happy Hour but the price was pretty reasonable all the same. And my server, Jacob was very friendly and easy going that it felt like I had dropped in to visit a friend.I enjoyed the atmosphere and nice cozy vibe this place has.

I've eaten at Zeus a couple of times now, mostly for breakfast or early lunch, and it has not failed to impress me. Granted, I went in with low expectations -- this is a McMenamins property and, while I love the business model (old restored buildings, funky décor, good art and handicrafts) they are just not known for their food. Well, the Zeus, which occupies the bottom floor of the Crystal Hotel, seems to have broken the mold, with an upscale interior and proper table settings, excellent service and really well-prepared dishes, even with a somewhat limited menu (this was breakfast anyway). My buddy had the Ham Benedict - excellent - and I had the Mt Hood Scramble, which was fresh, hot and perfectly prepared (though I am not a fan of creamy polenta, so points off for that). Service was spot on, not fussy, not indifferent, with water and coffee glasses always being filled. Parking can be a bit of chore in this neighborhood, so better to take mass transit and hoof it over. Powell's Books and the Pearl neighborhood is right across the street so why not?

Nice menu, good food, on the street it is really nice. You don't need reservations. Keeps late hours and good for brunch as well.

Great Cobb salad. Server made it easy to share sandwiches (big portions) with separate plates, could have been more attentive to requests for drinks and bill. Good clean restroom.

I've enjoyed many stays at the Crystal Hotel and I have enjoyed many meals at the Zeus Cafe. We can always count on them for a delicious brunch, lunch, and dinner. Last week, we had lunch at the Zeus Cafe and we were delighted with the summer lunch menu. We ordered the twist on the Croque Monsieur - shredded pork, avacado bechamel, and we also ordered the octopus salad (which was so tender). On a hot summer day, we paired this with greyhounds (always fresh squeezed juice). Customer service is also always outstanding.

We ate here twice and quite enjoyed both times. The pizza was made fresh and quite delicious. Plenty of beer options.

While the crowds were lining up at a few of the more trendy eateries on 12th Ave. we opted for Zeus and happy we did. This place has a speak-easy vibe and a hearty noon day meal. We watched as the hamburgers were served to neighboring tables wondering if we should have opted for this speciality. Instead we got the best eggs Benedict ever and a fully stacked BLT. Service was exceptional.

The food was great and staff was amazing. The manger was super attentive and send staff to assist right away.

Stopped in for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. A number of veggie options, including an amazing chèvre, greens and mushrooms omelette. But the best part of the meal was their amazing wheat toast that they get from a local bakery. Truly delicious. Decor/atmosphere is fine, and no wait on a holiday weekend, but definitely a worthy place for brunch.

Stopped in on a Saturday evening for pre-dinner drinks. Nice place, great vibe, great drinks. Shout out to Anna who was our server. Excellent job!

We were looking for a place for a late breakfast early lunch and found this place. We settled on breakfast and enjoyed it very much. The food was fresh and delicious. The bloody mary was very good. The service was friendly and helpful and we had an enjoyable time.

Took the opportunity to grab breakfast at this restaurant in June while in Portland for a conference. has the chef's omelette selection of the say which was with pesto and chorizo. I was very good. Recommended.

After shopping in Portland we needed a sit down and drinks. This bar is close to Powell’s books and the Dr Martens shop. We shared a plate of fries which were perfect and sampled a few cocktails of the menu. Nice place great service. Made the walk back down town a lot easier.

This was a late dinner after arriving Portland. We normally stay at the White Eagle and are use to the basic food offering there. The Zeus was excellent and we had just a bowl of soup and one of their small plate items. The bar tender was our server and he did a great job. I am normally a mid-range tipper, but the service and food were so god I gave him 20%.

My adult son and I ate outside at a bistro table. I had the salmon, which was very good. I forget what he had but he liked it and we had a few glasses of wine. Great location to people watch. Service was good as was the food. Somewhat expensive but that's Portland. We stayed at the Crystal Hotel as well, very funky and different. Great location.

Great value for money. We ate the pulled chicken which was wonderful and had probably one of the best IPA on the planet. Great waiters and a wonderful atmosphere

I was staying at the Crystal Hotel, so Zeus was an easy choice. Zeus has free coffee for hotel guests, and I stopped by every morning for that. When I tried their breakfast, I wish I'd eaten there every morning. (And even more so when I see other reviewers description of the bloody mary). I had the special omelette of the day, and it was delicious. And it was a lot of food - omelette, potatoes, toast. Service was also good.

Zeus Café is part of the McMenamin empire of restaurants and hotels in the Portland area. Normally I’m suspicious of empires, but this one seems to be doing everything right. I have dined at many McMenamin properties over the years, and I have yet to be disappointed. They seem to be very particular and organized, and to take great care in their management; everything from quality of food, to cleanliness of the premises, to quality of service. And Zeus Café is no exception. In nice weather there is outside dining available. This place is very popular, justifiably, and except in the dead of winter it is packed. So, depending on when you hope to visit, reservations might be in order. Zeus Café, by the way, roasts its own coffee, which is EXCELLENT.

There where nothing extraordinary or that make the difference. The flavor for the plate even the coffee was normal nothing different to offer. So it wasn't great but is average.

We were actually at a music event in Al's Den, where oen can get food from Zeus Cafe above. We had the venison meatballs and the octopus and seared scallop appetizers. The meatballs were just excellent (slightly spicy, great flavor). The octopus might have been seared a bit more, and there really should be a bit more seafood on the plate -- it was a VERY small plate, although pasta helped make up for that. But the preparation and presentation and flavor were all first class. Gotta come back and get a full meal here! Service was wonderful.

One of the things I liked about being in Portland with a big group was not having to find spots to head too, although I guess that is part of the joy of travelling. We went to Zeus, twice, partly for location, partly for the food (which I thought was great) and mostly for the service, which was super.

In addition to the great food and service, the restaurant is beautiful! An absolute treat! We had been recommended a few popular spots for our weekend visit to Portland and are delighted they were too busy to seat us - highly recommend Zeus' cafe!

Their menu is minimalist with none of the food options of other restaurants in this family. That said, the food is delicious. If you get there at happy hour...take advantage of the reduced prices. Everything is a la cart and the entres are spendy. We made the mistake of asking for the regular menu expecting to get a typical McM's menu....and missed the happy hour pricing. full bar and great beer and non alcoholic options. Customer service was great other than not explaining that the menu is different. Atmosphere and decor is fantastic as are all the McM renovations. It's worth checking out at least once but would recommend other property's for food selection.

High end contemporary restaurant in Portland. Open fire oven. Fun to watch pizza being made. We had sandwiches and truffle fries which were very good. Good spot for "people watching." Big windows as well as outdoor seating.

We had dinner here on a day trip to Portland. The building is stunning, very art deco. . We had a 'cheese snack' and Truffle Fries as hors d'oeuvres to share and both were delicious. They had an extensive (although somewhat expensive wine list - $44 for an NZ Cloudy Bay!) I then had some excellent Kurobuta Pork Cheeks (the pork equivalent to Wagyu beef). Most of the food was both sustainably and locally sourced.

Very nice place. Decor inside and out is interesting and give the place a feeling of warmth. The food was tasty and was prepare in a timely manner. Our server was very helpful and gave good suggestions. Wish we had time to return for dinner there. Next visit!

Had breakfast twice at Zeus while visiting my son in Portland. Loved the vibe of this classic restaurant which is located on the bottom floor of the Crystal Hotel. First off, we had excellent service with a very friendly and helpful staff. Our breakfast both mornings were delicious! We will be back when in town again! Highly recommend.

I must be a very picky eater?! This reminded me of a NY after hours restaurant?! A bit drunk, eat bad for your food and get another ale kind of place? I came here with my husband, sister and family and it was rated fairly high. We ordered Mixed Green Salad ($8.00) I hate when I can make a better salad than a restaurant. Mozzarella Pizza ($10.00) flavorless, add a few spices? unless it is for a child and the Zeus Burger ($13) again, throw on a ton veggies. The Seared Duck Breast for ($23) my sister found to be top-notch! Cooked perfectly and highly recommends! Plus the side dish of fruit for her daughter ($6) was perfect. The drinks were not over priced and they even let us know about happy hour. If they could just take a look at the overall menu and perhaps, the old carpet and a few of the tables, it does not lead to character, unless you are in England, when they are old, nicked and shabby. Plus safe parking was a huge issue. Not the restaurants fault. But do keep it in mind.

Recommended by several friends to try McMenamins-this was closest to where we were when hunger struck. Sidewalk seating extremely pleasant, attentive server. Great Chicken salad and nice presentation. The Ruby Ale and the Hammerhead are staple beers and there is a reason why-they are delicious. Very glad we stopped in

Last time we were here wa in 2012. We loved it then and still do. The menu is original as is the wine list. It's part of the McMenamins empire so also has the beer.

I love a place with good Bloody Marys and this place has a Bacon one that is great. Try the steak and eggs; it was good and tasty and well prepared. The staff are well trained and efficient.

After several hours of traveling, I talked my husband into eating at the restaurant where we staying and were not disappointed. On draft where their hand-crafted beers from the Crystal Brewery just one block away (provide free tours). Our favorite drinks were Copper Moon beer for him and Black Cherry cider for me. For dinner we split an oven-fired pizza and each had a Cesar salad The menu changes often with interesting dishes to chose from. One particular memorable dish had frog legs which my husband thoroughly enjoyed. The restaurant uses a variety of local farmers to create seasonal dishes.

We were just walking looking for something good for lunch. Stopped along the sidewalk and looked at a menu on the table and decided to give it a try when the friendly waitress asked if we'd like a table inside. We were glad we did! Both of our meals were great! Full of flavor and beautifully presented. A+! Nashville Chicken sandwich on a super bun with fries and Smoked Salmon! The mint green iced tea is refreshing as well!

Excellent food. Friendliest staff I've ever encountered. Exceptionally clean. Great beer. I had expected the "hotel restaurant" to be inferior to others I might find in downtown Portland. Because my husband and I were tired when we arrived at Crystal Hotel, we decided to have an early dinner at Zeus Cafe, located on the first floor. We were so thrilled with the service and the food that we ate all our meals there while in Portland. They were all exceptionally good, as were the servers, chefs, and everyone else who worked there. Happy Hour food is incredibly affordable and really, really good. I recommend Zeus Cafe without any reservations whatsoever.

While staying at the Crystal Hotel, I ate here twice for breakfast and once for dinner. Breakfast was great. I had the spinach & shiitake, crimini & tomato benedict with the creamy polenta. Simply fabulous. The Zeus Wake-Up was also good. For dinner, I had chickpea soup, which was delicious, and the unexpectedly great brussel sprout salad. This is now one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. You won't be sorry. And the service is great, too.

Nice cafe with lots of healthy choices. All items are freshly made from good ingredients. Service is top notch and the ambience is perfect.

Lots of inventive dishes on the menu, and a vast selection of local wines, make Zeus Cafe a great spot for a casual but memorable meal.

brought some friends for lunch...i had the seared albacore tuna sandwich, and subbed a salad for the fries...my friends loved their food too!...they love how mcmenamins renovates their vintage buildings...the basement with the photos were amazing still...the staff are always friendly, and the food excellent...thx!

My husband and I ate here on a Sunday night. It was not crowded, and it was very relaxing and quiet. The service was very attentive and thorough. The food quality was very good, and they have many interesting selections on the menu. Their house wines are a bargain. The portions are adequate, and did not leave me hungry. I would return there, because it's a great place to have a relaxing quality meal and hear the other person.

We were a little early before Powell's Books opened so we wandered around until we came upon the Zeus. So glad we did! Spacious seating options, a full bar if you want to fully imbibe early, and delicious egg offerings. I had Spanish eggs cooked in a spicy salsa along with potatoes and veggies in a skillet. Turkish eggs were also lovely, with spices and seasoned yogurt as a base for the eggs. Differently delightful. For half the price of a breakfast in your hotel, come here and peruse a full menu of offerings. Then you're fueled for your Powell's book run.

The server was excellent, but the menu was very limited (except for the beer, wine and spirits), the time in the kitchen was very long. The presentation of the food was very good, but the food itself was pretty average despite the attempt to be very Portland in the ingredients. To top it off, my wife had to rush to a toilet not long after she completed her spinach and shiitaki eggs Benedict. I've been here before and do not remember any problems, so perhaps this is a one-off morning. But, it is what it is.

Enjoyed a good breakfast here. Excellent Mt Hood omelette with spinach and feta. Outdoor seating. Friendly staff.

This is a character/heritage building full of little surprises. The craft beers here are second to none and their appies are just yummy!

I ate here twice, French toast each morning for breakfast. It had super flavor and reasonable prices. Would definitely go back the next time I'm in Portland!

Give it a try! Had a very pleasant evening here including attentive service, good but not fabulous food, and a good vibe.

This is one of the rare places in Downtown Portland with a nice terrasse facing south so in the Summer it is a perfect spot to relax in the sun. Great beers, food and especially the house wines are terrific for the price

We were waiting for Bfast and felt like a bloody mary in the morning. It was delicious. We had the Bacon infused bloody mary, it came with a thick, salty delicious piece of bacon, pickled celery which was divine (I've never eaten pickled celery) and pickled green beans or the sort... recommend the Bloody Mary for sure.

Lovely place in art deco type building with bags of history. Open kitchen and open frontage overlooking the street. We had the shrimp cocktail to start. Good job we shared…the shrimp were HUGE and delicious with a cocktail sauce to blow your socks off! I would come here again just for the shrimps. My wife and I both had the halibut, again it was very good. We were unsure as to which wine to select…the waiter asked us what we liked and gave us 3 selections to taste. Very professional, friendly and cool. Definitely worth a visit.

I came here quiet a few times i only had pizza which is amazing and deserts here along with a nice bottle of wine , They have great wine selection if you love wine you should check it out, prices are great too . My server was Steve the last two times i was there , that guy is great he does an awesome job ! I will keep coming back :)

Everyone was so helpful. Had the tastiest blackberry cocktail. Yellowtail was great. Bison fantastic. Try the six flight beer taster, yum.

6 of us stopped by the outside tables for an early dinner and ordered appetizers. They were all different and very good. I had chick pea fries, delicious.

Like any other McMenamins this place does not disappoint. Good food and very friendly staff. A little pricey but that was the only complaint. There is a hotel and bar at the same location. I think we will look into staying here in the future.

My sister was visiting from Indiana and suggested the Zeus Cafe because she likes McMenamins and it is close to Powell’s Books. My husband and daughter had eaten here about a year ago before they attended a concert at the Crystal Ballroom. We arrived about 5:30 pm on a Tuesday and parking was difficult to find. Not good if you have trouble walking like I do, but everyone was patient while my husband let me out in front of the restaurant. There is a step at the corner entrance, so if that is a problem for you, you should use the main entrance on the side street where there is no step. The menu was pretty limited for a Mcmenamins. And pretty pricy. Service was really good. The place was not very busy at all. My husband and I split a wedge salad and the bucatini carbonara. The salad was large, nicely chilled, and could be a meal in itself! The bucatini was a reasonable portion but you definitely want to have something else with it. Most things on the menu are ala carte. My sister ordered the scallops - pretty expensive- the server recommended that she order something else with it because you just get 3 scallops and nothing else. She had the beet salad. My nephew had the pizza and another person in our party had bucatini too. Overall nothing special- everything tasted good - good service- but more expensive and smaller menu than the other McMenamins.

Really enjoyed a late night visit and a consult from Chef Michael Lowe who graciously shared a recipe for their fabulous chickpea fries.

We strolled into this place and were not disappointed, the menu was fairly short on choices but they all sounded really unique as well as delicious and we were correct. We all finished our meals and wanted to lick the plates clean.... very tasty! The place felt very family friendly, the staff very friendly and even everyone seated around us were having a great time and friendly. We love booth seating because of our young kids and this place had plenty, and the music playing at perfect level sounded right off one of my playlists. Mcmenamins always seems to be a 10.

Dropped in to get our of the snow. Stayed for a really good sandwich and fries. Very friendly staff. Loved the skins on the french fries.

Arrived early for dinner but Jana made us comfortable and got us started. Food and service were excellent. Will definitely return if visiting Portland again.

We were walking around the Pearl District during Labor Day and decided to check out Zeus Cafe. We saw several people eating outside and thought it was a good idea to do the same. It took a couple minutes before we were seated. The hostess was friendly and brought our menus quickly. We ordered a couple mt. hood scrambles and a coffee. The eggs were cooked perfectly and their multigrain bread was great. Portions seemed a bit small. Our impression on this cafe is mixed. It did take a while to get our food and drink. The chef may have been busy that day. Perhaps some diners were there to have a leisure breakfast. We, on the other hand, had limited time to spend and were anxious to continue our discovery of the Pearl District. The food was tasty. Though given the portion size, it may not have been the best value.

Met up with some out of town relatives here as a midway meeting point (we're from Seattle and they're from southern Oregon). The food not only looked fabulous but it tasted amazing too. The atmosphere is really fun and different than your typical restaurant, in a great way. Highly recommend!

I have eaten at Zeus so many times, I could be a fixture. I absolutely love this place. When my wife and I lived in the West End of Portland, we ate there 3 times a week. Never been anything but totally satisfied. Great menu with a wide variety of very delicious items.

Such a nice place with great coffee. I was in for breakfast and loved the classical music. The atmosphere and staff were warm and friendly. Cool retro antique lighting and decor.

My husband and I stopped by on our recent and first time Portland trip. I love the beautiful interior design of the place. And the drinks and wood fire pizza were very delicious.

Very friendly staff and lovely atmosphere. I had the Spanish eggs (minus the chorizo) which they made to order for me as I don't eat meat! It was delicious hearty food! My boyfriends meal was also very good. Coffee refill! Not too expensive either. Would recommend.

It could have been my fault but I was expecting a Portland Brew House feel since it was recommended to me as such. Not so much. Inventive menu which wasn't what I was looking for. I ended up having breakfast for lunch which was good. The polenta was very tasty. I would try it again if I was looking for something a little more complicated.

Tired and staying at the hotel, I ordered a pizza of the day. Perfect food to sit and people watch, service was good.

You can’t travel too far in Portland without encountering great food, great crafts beers and often both. Zeus combined a nice list craft beers including lagers, ales, porters and some great IPA’s. The flight of six which we ordered gave us samplings of them and we liked them all. The food is marvelous. You can tell when a restaurant uses a chef rather than a cook and when it does not rely on its microwave and frozen food, and this place clearly employs a chef. The Flat Iron Steak Sandwich with fries, reasonably priced and quite filling, came with a wonderful spread and relish dish, each of which was a treat to the tastebuds. The Classic Burger also pleased the palate as well. Topping everything off with the Berry Crumble made the meal perfect.

The service was excellent. The menu has great offerings, and the bar traditional and fun seasonal beverage options to explore. Food excellent, absolutely wonderful, but must say kitchen slow to get to table. We will be back.

Chick pea fries..... AMAZING! The seasoning is fabulous! Perfect for those looking for a healthy free option. Moroccan salad is also delicious! The dressing is not overpowering. It is just right! Very refreshing. I love the outdoor seating as well.

We kicked off our vacation with a quick bite in the Zeus Cafe after we checked-in the The Crystal Hotel. Normally, I don't like eating at the hotel restaurant, but this place was an exception to my normal travel rules. We had amazing service from our bartender and got to sit in on the photo shoot for the upcoming Valentines Day specials. So naturally we asked to try some of the offerings. The staff in here is always accommodating and full of information about the area. We can't wait for our return trip.

Zeus has a great varied menu. Be sure to get the truffle fries...best I ever had! The vibe is very chill and not too crowded.

Zeus Cafe' (McMenamins) So, McMenamins is a huge monopoly in the restaurant/bar/hotel/entertainment world. They have super cool, elaborate décor, large spaces and interesting, innate antiques. For the first time since Covid-19 hit, I finally met up with a couple friends for brunch at Zeus Cafe. Zeus is in the heart of downtown off SW12th. This area offers local bars, shops and restaurants. Like most establishments, outside seating is allowed. In fact, it's currently the only "dine-in" option, but streets are closed off to accommodate any sort of income for an industry that is in dire need of help. But McMenamins is so grandiose, they won the street space war against Jake's. Jake's is considered a historical institution and they have to close now because big-biz took precedence. It's saddening. We checked in at 2pm and didn't get sat until 2:35pm while three of eight tables outside sat vacant. One of my guests is also in the industry and it was beyond difficult not to comment on the lack of service, communication and acknowledgment you'd expect from a place with this demure. Don't get me wrong, they were not under-staffed by any means, they just had all of these guys running around in circles completely unnecessary when you're at less than 25% capacity. The second we sat, we quickly organized our food and drink plan so when the server decide to show up, we could shoot off our order and cross our fingers. The menu is fine, all of the benedicts, shrimp and grits, huevos rancheros but sadly no salad options and only one vegan option. The prices range from $12-$26. They make a good drink. The servers are nice. In my opinion there are better places with better service for the price and they need to get their staff trained to ensure everyone is on the same page for guests are #1. They are a huge part of the experience. Ambience can't carry it all. All combined = Mediocre

If looking for a patio for a lunch stop after day at big book store Zeus Café would be a good choice. Nice shaded patio, OK food and pleasant service. The Horseradish Bloody Mary was very good and prices reasonable. Good selection of craft beers. The three of us had sandwiches including turkey, BLT, and the Slabtown. Very pleasant stop. Of course the sunny day was a big boost.

Stopped in and had a great lunch here with friends. Great food and as always a fun atmosphere. Loved the story of how the cafe came by its name. You'll have to visit to read about it ;) I had the pork tacos and they were great.

We spent the night at the McMenamins Hotel and ate both dinner and brunch at Zeus Cafe. The service was wonderful and the food was delicious. Everything we had was good. One drawback, at the hotel we purchased the 'Beer 101 Package'. WE were to tase several different beers and fill our growler the next day. The staff at Zeus knew nothing about this package. Id say a little more education for the restaurant staff on the Hotel packages! Once they figured it out though, and they did, it was awesome! A definite on your Portland tour!!

My husband and I stopped in for a drink while bar hopping around. I ordered a blackberry cider and my husband ordered a beer. The blackberry cider was on tap but I was not a fan. It tasted like a blackberry concentrated juice. My husband enjoyed his drink and we both loved the overall atmosphere. In conclusion, a cool place to grab a drink at the bar. Next time I would like to check out their happy hour while in town.

Food was creative and delicious. My salad with grilled chicken was yummy. My husband had a Chicken & Waffle sandwich that was outstanding!

Zeus is one of our favorite restaurants in Portland. This time it was for breakfast. They really knock it out of the Park and no lines as most of the other great restaurants have for breakfast. Try it and I know you will like it.

Had breakfast here on a quick trip where we stayed upstairs in the Crystal Hotel. This place is like no other hotel coffee shop I've ever been too. I had a huge bloody mary and the Turkish eggs. Oh my they were fantastic. Perfectly poached eggs with flat bread and greek yogurt etc. I sopped up every drop. Weekday morning meant we had the place to ourselves and the service was fantastic.

Went here for lunch during Covid and it was safe and people were nicely spaced out. Service was quick and friendly. Got the pasta which was great. Two drawbacks was it is expensive for what you get and the portion size is small (I didn’t leave hungry, but by the time dinner rolled around I was starving).

While we have only had breakfast here, we choose it over and over when in Portland for great morning fare, excellent service, and convenient location near several hotels.

We decided to stop here for lunch. I love a good Cobb salad and ordered their version. I was disappointed. It was smallish and very difficult to eat. The centered featured full lettuce leaves and the accompaniments were around the edges, making it difficult to maneuver through to prepare a bite. The waiter had told me that it didn't have blue cheese, but when it was served, it in fact did - which was the only thing that saved this salad. The dressing had tarragon and dill, so I ordered it on the side and was very glad I did, as I didn't care for it at all. I'm a pretty light eater, but ate the whole salad and while I was no longer hungry, could not say I was full either. On the upside, My dining partner ordered a burger and fries and very much enjoyed it. The service was attentive and efficient. Bottom line, I might try the restaurant again, but would try something else on the menu. I recommend against the Cobb salad.

we wanted to have lunch again outdoors at zeus cafe after going once last yr during the pandemic, and the reopening....we sat in the car free zone all masked up, and had a drink...i had the ruby, and my partner had a watermelon seltzer...next we shared the caesar salad and huevos rancheros with egg, avocado, and whole pinto beans....the drinks and food were superb...the staff was excellent, and one was being trained....both were exceptional, and when a brief rain shower appeared, an umbrella materialized just in time by the caring staff..we hope this car free zone becomes permanent all yr round...be sure to tip big during these challenging times... thx so much!

We had some very well cooked salmon here. Portions were smallish, but all we wanted. The garlic fries were outstanding! Very nice decently priced wine list with a good selection of local wines. But try not to be seated near the kitchen area. The greasy cooking smells were overwhelming. Very good service however.

The story of McMenamins is enough to make you want to support their revitalization efforts and eat at one of their restaurants! Zeus Cafe is in a painstakingly restored hotel, done to compliment the period of its original construction. We had breakfast at Zeus and the waiter and food were equally excellent.

This is a fun place to have a happy hour drink, especially on the 2nd floor. While there, check out the salt pool in the basement of the Crystal Hotel.

We were incredibly hungry after a long visit to the Portland Japanese Garden (no food available there - not even a sushi bar!) and stumbled on Zeus by chance. The service was a little casual but our food was excellent and of course there is also a great variety of locally brewed beers available. The chickpea fries were excellent!

We've been to this restaurant many times and cannot get enough of their baked chick pea fries. This is the only one of the McMenamins locations that makes them. They have great brews and a wide variety of meals on the menu.

Fun, local menu! Everyone enjoyed the food and the service was awesome.! If you like bloody marys....try the "bacon infused bloody mary"! Delish!!

We were walking by one evening on our way to a performance and noticed a large croud of happy people sitting outside. The following night we came for dinner. It was our second night in Portland and by that time we had not gotten used to the "12 beers on tap in every restaurant " arrangement. Our waiter was incredibly nice, he let us try just about every beer we wanted to and they al were no disappointment. The truffle fries were pretty remarkable. My spouse had rabbit, it was a bit dry. My tuna was divine; it came with a rather interesting side of marinated vegetables (what i would call ensalado de antipasti). It was an unexpected pairing, but worked out at the end. Overall, very pleasant experience, good food, great beer, impeccable, really friendly service. And very budget-savvy. Would definitely go back to try several other intriguing items on the menu.

This is a very classy restaurant. It is not your regular breakfast style meal that you would consider. We ordered what we thought was biscuits and gravy and it came out as charizo bsuicuits and gravy. It was delicious but not what we were expecting. it was quiet, very nice and service was good.

My walking group, once again, ate breakfast at Zeus Saturday morning.It's a non-complicated menu (omelets, etc.), but the elements are all done well. The yogurt parfait features homemade granola and thick Greek yogurt. My omelet had some special ham and cheese. The bread was a single, very thick slice, toasted on one side; chewy and delicious. Home made jam, of course. My tea was the superb Smith Tea (a Portland brand - started by the Tazo folks) was loose, brewed in a carafe. I've had the salmon hash and it's terrific (lots of vegetables, great salmon). Probably what I appreciate most about the McMenamin's is their attention to preserving historic places and their passion for art. Study the art around you: you will be amused. (Maybe look up the history before you go.) Our group probably prizes helpful, warm servers above all else; the waiters are unfailingly nice and accommodating of our large group. We also love being in such a well appointed, clean, nice place. If you want an authentic, Portland, home-grown experience -- or just a restful place after you've been at Powell's Books -- come here.

Arriving shortly after 11 PM on a Saturday night, my wife and I were looking for a place near our hotel (the Mark Spencer) where we could get a beer and burger. McMenamin's Zeus Cafe was almost across the street and, while their dining service stopped at 11 PM, they still had an abbreviated 'happy hour' menu going. In addition to burgers, there were salads and pizzas. So we had burgers and two different IPAs that were on tap. The atmosphere was relaxing, the burgers - while not the best we've ever had - certainly were among the most satisfying. The decor was colorful, service friendly, and all in all, we can that the Zeus deserves to be a destination, and we will return for a real dinner.

We were walking in the cold and stumbbled upon this place. Good small menu very tastey port belly and chick-pea fries. The zesus' house coffee is awsome. Would come here again

Not crowded, because it's in the 2-star Crystal Hotel perhaps, but a clean, well lighted place, with good food. Service a little slow for breakfast, but fine for happy hour/dinner.

Perfect Eggs Benedict with polenta and Tinga Tacos, along with fresh fruit hit the spot. We sat outside, enjoyed a sunny day with cool breeze, people watching. Reasonable prices and no waiting. What else to ask for?

Had two meals here and both were delicious. This morning I had the Mt Hood scramble with spinach and goat cheese with home fries and toast - all fresh and delicious. She had the eggs Benedict also with home fries- also delicious. Last night I had a wood fired Margarite pizza and she had the gazpacho soup again fresh and delicious. They have a ton of craft beers on tap including old speckled hen and other interesting libations. Excellent atmosphere and service. So much more interesting than the chain restaurants so prevalent in suburban America. Also great people watching!

We were overwhelmed by the food choices downtown and stumbled across Zeus Cafe. It was a Friday, earlier in the evening and we were able to be seated right away. We enjoyed sitting with a view of the kitchen and it was entertaining to listen to the cooks while they worked. The menu left us unable to just order a couple of dinners and we opted to do a bit of a sampling. The preparations were very creative and we appreciated the information on the back of the menu which told about the sourcing of their ingredients. We did order the salmon dinner which was delicious. We also had the chickpea fries, foie gras and beet salad. I can't remember what the dessert item we had was called, but it was peanut butter and banana and a waffle. I don't normally eat dessert but was impressed with this one! I would like to also note that the martini(s) were perfect. All in all, a very solid dining experience.

We got here late with the family but that worked even better since we got great service! The clam appetizer was to die for specially with the artesian bread that was served with! My salmon was delicious and my wife's pizza wad scrumptious! Light crust with a zesty sauce! My son had the burger which he claims was the best he ever had! The fries were fresh cut!

We have taken family here several times for late lunch. The truffle fries are amazing; the chickpea fries are pretty good too. The menu has something to offer everyone in mixed vegetarian/carnivore crowds (buffalo burgers, spicy falafel burgers, mediterranean salad, turkey tacos with pickled avocado). The kids enjoy their wood fired pizzas. They have good seasonal ciders. And great service- they always do their best to accommodate our pickiest (and youngest) of eaters (even made her french toast at 3pm despite no longer serving breakfast).

Stumbled across this little cafe on Google. We wanted to find a nice quiet place to eat some good, healthy food and we found the right place. It was immediately a pleasure to the eye before we even walked in. Cute tables and chairs outside and a nice sign saying "Zeus Cafe" above the doorway. The hostess was very kind and happy and our waiter was just as kind. The prices were also very affordable. Especially comparing with the other restaurants we ate at while visiting. I ate the "breakfast sandwich" which had scrambled egg, capicola ham, white cheddar, everything bagel, arugula, and came with a side of fruit. My first bite was heaven! My boyfriend had the chef special wood fired pizza and he was in love as well. The coffee was very delicious and the dishes were nice to look at. I adored the view when we sat by the window. There's a bar inside as well. I know when I visit Portland again, this will be my favorite little breakfast spot.

We ordered special scramble and 2 pizzas. The food was very good. We sat inside because it was too sunny and no shade! The service was average. The cost was a little high. Reminded me a little of Paris sidewalk cafes. Just like in France I ate inside--though there is was because that is the only guaranteed non-smoking area. There was no waiting list.

We had make reso's across the street, but their bar was uninviting. The Zeus had a great old world vibe, beautiful bar, and great drink menu. We looked at a dinner menu and stayed! The food was superb. The only hick-up was a bottle of Edgefield Chardonney we ordered. It had turned, and was very bad. The manager (Mel?) immediately came to our table with 3 more bottles. We had a great conversation, the next bottle was perfect, and all was good.

We came here for my husband's birthday and absolutely loved it! The food came out in a timely manner and was delicious! We got the pollo a la el vez, beet salad, grilled Columbia salmon, and the lacquered pork belly. For dessert we got the wood fired fruit cobbler and dark chocolate pave. I definitely recommend all these dishes! The service was awesome. Unfortunately, I do not remember the server's name but he was exceptional at his job. If you're in the area, definitely check this place out!

Nice restaurant in downtown Portland near Powell’s Books. Ordered turkey sandwiches with a Caesar salad wedge, chorizo breakfast burrito (they were still serving brunch) and Neapolitan pizza. Sandwiches and breakfast burrito tasted fresh and we cleaned out plates. Our daughter felt the pizza needed a bit more flavor added. Service was excellent. We would definitely go back when we are in the area next.

Newer cafe. Friendly staff. Fun, original menu with lots of intriguing options. We tried several dishes, including the elk sliders and pizza (pepperoni with a fried egg on top). The sliders were on the dry side and it is a small portion. If you are hungry, you may want to order a couple of dishes or at least add an appetizer. The pizza was amazing. We also had a basket of fries for the table. They had a good flavor and came with ketchup and a brown dipping sauce. Overall this is a good cafe with a unique menu.

This is a gem tucked in the Crystal Ballroom. Be sure to take the tour of the building. We had a wonderful breakfast of fresh made omelets and potatoes. The coffee is the best. Service friendly and welcoming.o

Breakfast was delicious. It was very quiet and good variety on menu. We ate dinner at food trucks so it was fun to splurge at breakfast.

We were looking for a breakfast place in the Pearl District of Portland and we found Zeus Cafe. What a great place. The service was great and the food was fantastic. The taste and presentation as well as the ambiance is a special treat. I had the Mt. Hood Scramble and my wife had the Korean Chicken and Waffles. Both were tasty and decent portions. The hot tea selection is exceptional. A great place to get away and still be in the middle of it all

Great service providing fine comfort food. Elegant older building maintained to it's original design. Perfect place to eat and enjoy all that Portland has to offer.

We had a beer here, which was really delicious, and a plate of cold meats etc, which was great. The service was good and the waiter was very helpful when we were trying to choose which beer to have.

The Zeus Café was a suggestion for a place to eat. It's inside a really neat old hotel. The staff members were friendly and helpful. We were there during Happy Hour so got a break on the menu items. It was an unexpected treat getting to eat in such a fun atmosphere.

Tourists out looking for breakfast, Tried a couple nearby places but the lines were long, so i consulted TripAdvisor and we chose Zeus Cafe, in part because the McMenamins reputation for restoring old buildings. I found the decor to be quite interesting, especially a large painting near our booth. The bar struck me as an inviting place to have a drink,it occupied the center of the room, with tables around it, then booths along the walls. Since we were there for breakfast, the bar was quiet, but it was a cool space, in a “restored to its former glory” kind of way. If you want chrome and glass go somewhere else! Anyhow for breakfast they roast their own coffee, thats an automatic plus. I had salmon and eggs - very nice. My daughter (16) had some coconut pancakes and liked them a lot. I enjoyed everything about Zeus Cafe and would certainly recommend it for breakfast.

I dined at Zues Cafe, a McMenamin's restaurant the other night because of their promising and interesting menu. Unfortunately, while a creative sounding selection of tapas was offered, what I received was fairly pedestrian to poor. I ordered the shaved brussel sprout salad with lardons which was fine except a bit on the sweet side as most Americans today seem to be like my ancient Aunt whose tastebuds had failed her and all she could taste was sweet. So if you like sweet salads then you may enjoy this as it is full of dried cranberries that were sugar sweetened as well. Next I tried the grilled octopus served with an ancho chili sauce. The texture was both chewy and oddly soft and falling apart and the taste was of a canned fish, not the fresh octopus flavor that I know and love. I did enjoy a full pint of McMenamin's delicious Ruby which supposedly is a malty, non-hoppy beer made with raspberry somewhere in the process. I love it for its malty goodness and the relief it provides from the standard Portland over the top hop flavor seen in every other beer in practically every other public house. If the idea of small unique plates appeals to you, then you are better off at Tasty and Alder located just one block away.

We went looking for food at 6;30 on a Friday night. Every recommended place was packed so we stopped in the Zeus because we could sit right away. I have no idea why it wasn't packed because it was great. It was comfortable and our waiter was great. He was patient and answered all of our questions. We started with cocktails and a bomb beet salad. We then ordered a brick fired Neapolitan pizza. It was simple and amazingly delicious. Great crust and a really tasty sauce. Good selection of wines and local beers.

Amazing drinks with many local beer and liqueurs used. Food was great but drinks were the stars here. Phil hazelnut liqueur was delicious.

We had breakfast here while visiting downtown Portland on a recommendation from a local for good breakfast spots. We loved it! Historic building, beautiful architecture and decor, charming environment, unique breakfast choices, professional staff, and reasonable prices. What more could you ask for? We each ordered a breakfast plate and then the vanilla French toast plate to share as a treat. Yum!

If you come to Portland Oregon and your not sure where to go or what to do then head over to The Zeus Cafe in The Crystal Hotel and ask for Billy, the bar manager. He will have suggestions on everything from where to eat, drink or stay to who you can bring your car to if it breaks down while in town (that was not us he was giving info to the gentleman at the table behind us) Some of his suggestions that we enjoyed were first The Zeus Cafe where we had breakfast, if you love a place that serves more then the traditional bacon and eggs you will love the Zeus Cafe we had a spinach, shiitake mushroom Benedict served with homemade lamb sausage, the sauce was delicious and the lamb perfectly cooked, since our visit to Portland was a search for the perfect dark beer we tried the Black Widow Porter, which was a perfect breakfast or anytime beer

The Zeus Café has a vibe all it's own -- just like Oregon and Oregonians. Before the food takes your breath away, you are treated to multitude of exceptional experiences. First is the décor. The decor is simply amazing and wraps you up like a warm blanket no matter what time you come in to enjoy the food. Exotic lamps glow warmly and the murals on the wall are lively, inviting and add to the uniqueness of the restaurant. The booths and tables are comfortable and simple, yet complete. Many times you will find a small vase of local flowers beside the glow of individual table lamps. With a substantial bar running the length of the restaurant, you can have whatever cocktail you can imagine, or taste their own (McMenamin's) beer or cider. Ask the wait staff for their current seasonal offerings -- you won't be disappointed. The wait staff is personable and attentive and obviously are proud to work there and serve you. They have THE MOST amazing chefs there as well. I have stayed at the hotel for concerts and we always zoom back to try and make it before the restaurant closes. Sometimes we miss it, but we can always go to the basement to Al's Den and order from the bar menu (JUST AS GOOD) but that's another review. The wait staff are also completely knowledgeable about the dishes they serve and can answer any questions you have, or make recommendations. I've never been disappointed when taking them up on their suggestions. And now the food -- the BEST part. Everything is SO fresh and not in HUGE portions. My favorite is the Mt. Hood Scramble. The cheese is fabulous the polenta is OUT OF THIS WORLD good. Any of their Benedicts are outstanding as well. They cater to all diets and can usually accommodate most requests. Their pizzas are fabulous for a late night snack and are also available at Al's Den. Just superb, fresh, creative and delicious. Can't say enough about how great this restaurant is. When we stay there, we usually end up eating every meal there!!

I say surprisingly, because we have not been fans of McMinnimens bars and restaurants in years past, although I must admit we haven't been in a long time. This cafe was a great place to take our grand daughter for lunch while visiting PSU. She had pizza which she said was delicious, while we had eggs with onions, mushrooms and creme fresh, which was also very good. The service was excellent, the restaurant was clean and very nice, we will come back, and visit other restaurants this company owns.

We had the most amazing fried chicken dish which was totally unexpected! First of all, due to Covid there are tents for dining outside but they also offer limited seating and indoor dining. The server graciously provided us with indoor seating when we were shivering out an outdoor table without coats. He was very attentive throughout the meal. We had a 5th floor IPA and a nice glass of Chardonnay while deciding what to eat. The menu seemed very limited so we both ordered the fried chicken which said it came with gravy, honey, potatoes and coleslaw. You can’t go wrong with that, right? We expected something like home cooking but what came was creative and outstanding! Country fried potatoes on the bottom covered by a sweet (almost Thai inspired) gravy, perfectly breaded/browned chicken breast and a dabbling of cole slaw for interest. I have never had chicken this good in my life and will probably spend the next year trying to recreate it. I am posting a picture which does not do it justice. The ambience of the Crystal Hotel includes Victorian crystal chandeliers which provide romantic lighting but not the best for photos.

I ate here twice for breakfast while I was staying in the Crystal Hotel. I had ham, potatoes, and eggs both times. It was fast and delicious both times.

McMenamin's is known for beer and burgers. But this place is fantastic eclectic fine dining with a terrific wine list and great service.

we wanted to return here during covid 19 phase one re-opening, and did so for lunch yesterday...we were happy to see the street closed off to cars!....masked up and physically distanced, we sat down for a ruby, and my partner had a rubinator...next, i had the brunch bowl with veggies, quinoa, cashew hollandaise...she had the bbq mushroom sandwich sub salad...the beer and food were delicious...the staff is all masked up and safe, and very friendly.........the mgr stepped out checking on people too, which was nice.....so happy to see you open with these options...thx!

Traveling from out-of-town. We were wondering downtown not knowing where we should eat and came across Zeus Cafe. Since it is part of Mc Menemens we figured it would be a good place for dinner and we were right! Got there in time for happy hour and had the burgers. Incredible!

I notice a friend commenting frequently on Zeus Cafe on FB, so I took my mother for brunch. It was fantastic! I didn't realize that McMenamens had more upscale food at this location. We've only been there once but based on that experience, it's underrated as the Portland food scene goes.

We luckily were turned away from a restaurant across the street and found this beautiful place. The Crystal Hotel is an old place but well maintained and has that ambiance that most people search for but seldom find. We did not need a reservation and just walked in and were seated and the meal was in front of us before we knew it. The waiter was friendly and like the chef did a good job for us. I ordered a rack of lamb and got two for the same price. It was simply delicious, fresh not overcooked, and tasty. Next time I'm in Portland I'll eat there again.

Thoroughly good meal with December on tap. My 12yo son loved his pizza. Service was very good, attentive and patient. Would definitely recommend a visit.

Unusual menu - sort of expensive for the deliverables. Bar staff was indifferent. Expected more of a McMenimans establishment

I had duck with confit pâte. Steve had pork cheeks with chopped apples and vinaigrette. Wow! And the vegetables that came with them were perfect. The waiter was helpful and knowledgable about the menu. Good cocktails too.

Stopped in to Zeus to see the place on a visit to Portland. We’ve heard about the this chain and were interested in exploring at least one of the properties. Very nice building and the bar looked perfect to sit and have a drink. Location was right in the middle of a busy part of Portland. We decided to try their kitchen so we sat at a window booth. Have to say it was mediocre at best. Tried the oysters on the half shell after looking over the menu. Disappointing for both. Tiny oysters and limited selection on menu. Just nothing here to appeal to me. Sorry. I’m no snob or foodie but I like a selection of food that’s worth spending my money on. Waitress recommended a chicken meatball appetizer to try. Very disappointing. Flavorless at best. I would definitely have drinks here but go across the street to jakes for anything more than a burger.

We had a perfect lunch here. The service was amazing and the staff were incredibly friendly and made us feel welcome here. The beer was great and the food was perfect.

I am not a great fan of most McMenamins establishments as I find the service is usually slow but when you walk into Zeus you would not know it was a McMenamins. The service was outstanding and the food even better. I had the special which was a grilled halibut on an orzo pasta salad. I normally don't like orzo but this dish was amazing. The flavor and textures really blended well. Dinner was topped off with the molten cake which was to die for. It was all reasonably priced as well. I will definitely go back as it is in walking distance to the armory.

It was delicious. Great menu, friendly service, yummy champagne drink with fresh fruit juice.... will definitely go again!

Tries to be very gourmet in the food, the the combinations were a little wierd, so we were very disappointed with the food. The service and atmosphere were great.

Zeus's Cafe opens early on Sunday (7 am) that fit in with our early morning plans. Close to our hotel. I had bowl of oatmeal- (fresh fruit, dried fruit and brown sugar with walnuts) and husband tried the chicken and waffles. Waffles came with a dijon mustard/maple syrup. Nice early morning breakfast to power us up till lunch.

This proved to bea great find as we were walking by. For a start, we, and everyone else at the othernearby eateries got to listen to a top busker who rolled out tune after tune at the roadside. To top this off we had some of the best service - advice on food, background to the wine and a general interest in us as customers - by a young man who was also training his sidekick at the same time. The pork-belly meal aand local beers were superb. Would go back in an instant!

I think this place is awesome from an architectural/design standpoint. Love the European style outdoor seating. You sort of want to just hang out here. But we went for breakfast and I got the breakfast sandwich. it's served on an everything bagel which is unfortunate - too many flavors competing (i didn't note the 'everything' part when I ordered). But even still the bagel was too dense - come on, you gotta do your research on making a bagel. Unless it was stale but I think it's just really dense. The potatoes were good as was the fruit. My partner had one of the benedicts and didn't think the eggs were prepared the typical/correct way for a benedict. Looking at the lunch/dinner menus it seems they are trying to be fancy. I do like some fancy things but you have to get it right and I'm not confident here since I don't like some of the basics.

I just want to thank the food and beverage manager thank you for helping me with providing a recommendation for a lovely bottle of wine to help my sister and brother-in-law celebrate their anniversary. Hal made sure the wine was delivered to their room with a nice card - they loved the wine and were very appreciative, and so was I.

We were spending a night at the Crystal Hotel, which gave us a good opportunity to have dinner at the Zeus Café. I really liked the eclectic menu. The meals are generally tapas style, which is to say small portions of ala carte items. The price point is a bit on the high side, but the quality is good. We had the Salmon and it was spot on and Thai Pork Cheeks which had a very nice Thai seasoning kick. We also had the Curried Cauliflower - very nice. We topped this off with the Frangepane tarte and a coffee. Add in a beer and glass of wine the tab was $74 plus tip. Julie L was our server and did a great job. It was a great night and we were seated outside. Julie rescued us from a talkative individual that was passing by and tried to chat us up for some $$$$

We stayed in the hotel above and while it wasn't a problem to go upstairs to fetch passports to order an alcoholic drink... our government issued drivers license (which clearly state our birthdates should have sufficed). Not to mention the table next to us were not required to show ID at all to purchase their wine. For food I had a lukewarm lamb shank, and my partner had literally a steak and over fried fries. Sigh...

We came across Zeus and decided to eat there because it looked funky and unusual. We went for brunch. The highlight of our meal was the Large Marge, a $25 Bloody Mary with an assortment of food added. Otherwise, it was a let down. The service was slow, the waiter was awkward and unhelpful, and the food was mediocre at best. There are much better brunch places within walking distance (we liked Cheryl's on 12th and Tasty N Alder) - I recommend passing on Zeus, though it might be worth going for a drink to check out the funky vibe.

My wife and I ate here twice for breakfast and enjoyed their Kolsch one evening. It is a well run restaurant with friendly staff and good food.

Stopped in for lunch. Bloody Mary with bacon infused vodka and a slice of bacon. Nice atmosphere. Burger overcooked but tasty. Would definitely go back.

A Reuben made with corned LAMB?Sauerkraut made from pear? And there were many other intriguing and even counter-intuitive ingredient combinations on the menu. Artichoke heart wood-fired pizza was superb! Service was excellent. Prices were reasonable. Atmosphere and decor was Jazz but the soundtrack was Reggae. It all worked. Unique.