Zouave Restaurant Reviews

We've been driving by this little place for years. You cannot miss its colorful exterior. It is small and cozy inside. We arrived just after it opened and were seated by the chef. He was very friendly even though he was seating others and getting the kitchen ready to go. Our server showed up and was very friendly as well. The service was good and that's something because the room had filled up. We started with the mediterranean mussels...they were in a very flavorful broth as well as being large pieces and very tender. We followed with the penne putanesca and beef roulade. Both very tasty. It was nice for the chef to check with us on our service and food. We finished with a pear dessert. It was a really nice blend of pear flavor with the sauce. It took us a long time to get around to eating here. Now that we know how good this place is, we will be back soon.

It’s a humble place buried in a neighborhood, but such a good find. The kitchen is exposed and watching the chef was like watching a one-man-band whose timing was perfect. Each person in our party of 6 ordered something different, yet each dish was made to order and came out hot and delicious. Don’t expect frills but do expect honest, perfectly prepared Italian/Algerian food. If this restaurant were in my neighborhood, it would be a staple in our lives.

Our large party was treated so well here. The chef/owner kept checking in to make sure everything was to our liking. He need not have worried, because we had a great time here. Their large outdoor seating area (with plenty of shade) was perfect, as was their menu and its execution. I had a yummy bowl of smoked salmon with penne pasta. Everyone else loved their choices as well. The owner even included a couple of plates of tiramisu on the house for us to share. So nice of him. I'd love to come back here when in the neighborhood again.

Chef Abe, the multi-lingual and multi-talented owner of Zouave Restaurant in Seattle, has refreshed the menu for Fall with thoughtful updates. Many dishes are available as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free — including pasta, gnocchi, and even tiramisu. I tried the new risotto with pine nuts and a generous mix of vegetables — incredibly flavorful! My omnivore companion loved the antipasto platter and classic osso buco with gnocchi. We also enjoyed the chef’s newest addition: a delicious date bread.

Superb meal! The chef made something unique and tasty for my vegan daughter and my husband's risotto was superb! The spinach and caramelized onion starter was delicious and the service was excellent.

What a fantastic find! We had driven by several times before the sign finally caught our eye. We decided to go when some family was visiting at the end of 2016. We were seated promptly and our server (Josh) was attentive, but not intrusive. We had asked about the Valpolicella wine and they let us try it. To me, it seemed more like a dessert wine, so we chose to have a Chianti instead. They were not upset by our change, and neither were we. The Chianti was very nice. I ordered the beef roulade, my wife and sister in-law ordered the gnocchi aurora, and my sister in-law's boyfriend ordered the penne salmon. Each of us truly enjoyed our meals. The beef roulade had so much flavor. The regret I have is that it was too much food for one sitting and I ate the whole plate! My wife did not eat all of her food so we reheated the gnocchi aurora the next day and it retained its flavor. The restaurant itself looks like a home that was converted into a kitchen and dining area. You can see the chef (Abe) cooking from most of the restaurant. It's very quaint. We were there later in the evening and the crowd had died down, so Abe was graciously walking around the restaurant and talking with the customers. He spent twenty or thirty minutes with us and told us about how he decided upon Zouave for the restaurant name (proud soldiers years ago, to proud chef now). If he is available, I definitely recommend taking the time to talk with him. We plan on going back in the future.

Abe really came through for our family of 10. From age 7 to age 84, we all loved our entrees and the delicious tiramisu topped with birthday candles. The cioppino and lamb shank were superb, the wine was wonderful and the service was perfect. And there's parking right out in front after 6 pm.

It's not like I trust Yelp ratings in any event. But this place was TERRIBLE. I ordered the risotto primavera special. The cook doesn't know what risotto is. The rice had clearly not been sauteed, as a risotto requires. What I got was a huge mass of boiled rice with a few unhappy vegetable pieces here and there. When the waitress came by to see how we liked our meals, I was honest. They didn't charge us for my dinner, but I went home hungry. The others in our party weren't happy with their selections either.

I finally got my husband out to eat, he would rather eat at home, and we tried Zouave once again, had not been in for over two years. It has been dressed up a little since last time. Unfortunately the Salmon Pasta was awful. We did not say anything, I know the chef and owner is a very hard working man, but it just was not good. I am sure some of the dishes are very good as I see on other reviews. My chicken marsala was okay, our dinner salads had some wilted mushy pieces in the mix. Kind of gross. I asked for a glass of white and asked what kind was available. The waitress, she was young, pointed to the buffet a bit away and said "we have those choices", I could not see what "those choices" were from a distance so I asked for a particular kind, and she bought me a taste, it was fine. I found it odd that all the bottles were open, but no wine list was available and she had no idea about any of it. Sort of awkward. I feel bad writing this review and hope others weigh in with better experiences.

This evening was my second visit to Zoave and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.... Both times! My friend and I got there at 5PM just as they opened and were greeted the Chef Owner Abe. I had the Osso Buco special with delicious gnocchi and my friend had the cioppino... in addition to a great Chianti and MELANZANE for the appetizer, it is Roasted eggplant with goat cheese topped with pine nuts! Portions were generous and I have dinner tomorrow night! My friend and I both had a wonderful evening and left saying we needed to visit more often!

There is nothing better than walking into a restaurant and being greeted by the smell of sautéed garlic! We were served homemade bread with olive oil and balsamic when we arrived. We both had a delicious sangria. Not too sweet definitely made in house. We had a very good sautéed calamari for an appetizer. No breading, perfectly cooked in a broth. I order the puttanesca with shrimp, he ordered the chicken Marsala. Best Marsala sauce I've had! Not too sweet but tasting of a good Marsala wine. The puttanesca was wonderful too. Capers, olives, anchovy in a red sauce. For dessert we had an order of cannoli. Wow. Made in house. Best I've had. The kitchen was small and open. The chef was was friendly and came out to see how we liked our meals. A must local Italian joint!

Most people would drive by this small, unpretentious restaurant hidden in a residential area That would be a mistake. I dined there with a colleague who is restricted to a gluten-free diet and the chef - whom you can watch cook in the small kitchen, graciously and deliciously accommodated. My beef roulade was stuffed with fresh vegetables and sat in a pool of herbed tomato sauce. The small green salad had a dressing as fresh and crisp as the greens it covered. While I ended my meal with two small - but possibly the best - cannoli I've had so far, the chef thoughtfully served my dining companion a gluten-free dessert of freshly sliced Washington State apples and pears. We had flavorful pinot gris to accompany the meal. Having my favorite Gypsy Kings CD softly playing in the background was the frosting on the cake. The small restaurant also has an outdoor patio that extends the number of diner who can enjoy the creative and delicious offering s from this talented and charming chef. There is only street parking, and as this is in a residential area, it may be hard to find. But it is well worth the effort. Zouave is on my

We met friends for dinner at Zouave and found that our table had already been set and was socially distanced from the other 2 parties on the roomy back patio. Our waiter was masked and he brought hand sanitizer to our table. As always, the homemade bread was warm, crusty and delicious, our entrees were fabulous (highly recommend the Osso Bucco!), and the service was excellent. We all felt safe eating there and just loved being able to safely enjoy a wonderful meal with friends. I can’t recommend Zouave highly enough. Chef Abel puts his heart and soul into his cooking.

A small independent neighbourhood restaurant that's all about the food. In these covid times, we're still sticking to outdoor eating, and this restaurant will take patio-specific reservations. And the food is FABULOUS. I've eaten in other places where the meals cost twice as much and aren't half as good. No, the tables and chairs don't all match, but who cares? If you think what you're eating matters more than aesthetics, this is the place to go.

We were really hoping for a new neighborhood gem to replace the wonderful Casa D'Italia that occupied this space for many years. Unfortunately, Zouave is a huge disappointment and will likely not be around very long if others continue to have our experience. (1) The decor is nonexistent. Bare walls, generic tables, and a dining room that was emptied of most of its tables to fill the back porch on this warm evening ... only to leave a giant void in the middle of the dining room. (2) We were given one menu for the four of us and were told we would get more as they become available. They were probably 60% full, with two of the four remaining inside tables taken, and maybe six of the 10+ tables taken outside. (3) Two waiters and one busperson served our table, but it was primarily to ask us if we wanted more water literally every five minutes for the 90 minutes we spent there. We were brought bread once, were never offered it again and had to ask for more twice (as we were waiting over 50 minutes to get our food). The first time we were given more bread, they gave us three slices (for four people). (4) It took 25 minutes for the waitress to come by and take our food order (and tell us about the specials). She did not ask us if we wanted drinks and made no apology for the long wait. Their website had made a big deal about the lamb shank, but when I asked the waitress if they had it on the menu, she had no idea what I was talking about. (5) As we waited 50+ minutes for our food, they continued coming by to ask if we wanted more water. Meanwhile, we heard the chef/owner scolding the waitresses, telling them he wanted them to take the right food to the right tables. He glanced at our table and asked them what we ordered, as we were hoping that meant we might actually get our food. Eventually, it was clear the chef was realizing how long people were waiting, because a complimentary appetizer arrived. We could hear the tension building throughout the meal as the owner continued to speak "politely" argue with the waitresses. (6) The food was mediocre. Not bad, nothing special, just mediocre. Chicken couscous had very little flavor, beef roulade was spicy but the meat was dry, the pasta puttanesca was declared "fine, but nothing special", and the kids pasta with cheese was just as described. It's too bad. I really wanted to like this place. The waitstaff was simply clueless about how to offer service and the food .... well, it didn't do anything to make up for the poor service.

The old adage of "don't judge a book by it's cover" certainly applies to Zouave. No fancy decor here, just a clean, fresh look that almost reminds you of someone's house, with a nice patio out back as well as a kitchen that looks very much like a kitchen at home. But, the food - that's something else. Zouave's menu, like the place itself, is simple but covers everything you would expect from a fine Italian restaurant. Then, the chef or the waitress will tell you the days special offerings, which are every bit as exciting as what you saw on the menu. We had a group of 6, and ordered 5 different dishes(doubled down on the lamb shank), each of which was delightful. Special requests or allergies - no problem, the chef can adjust. Desert - all home-made and all delicious. The beer and wine selections were a bit sparse, but hey, if you want to drink, go to a bar. But if you want to eat great Italian food in Ravena - go to Zouave!

Got to visit with a friend after a long day of travelling, honestly had a great time! The chef Abe and staff (I think his name was Kylin (?) sorry Kylin if you're reading this I'm not sure how your name is spelled) were super friendly and attentive, intimate / homey atmosphere. Even though there was only one waiter, service was top-tier. It was a memorable experience and I'm really glad I got the chance to try it out. Would definitely recommend!

We joined a group of friends who had dined previously here. When we arrived, it took nearly a half hour to get beverages since there was only one server who was doing his best. It took another 15-20 minutes to get the glass we had asked for with the beverage and for us to order our meals. The food was definitely a mixed bag. The special pumpkin butternut squash soup was fabulous and I wish I had ordered a large bowl of it. The peasant bread was hot and fresh from the oven but the amount of dipping oil/vinegar offered was sparse. Two of us ordered the beef Bourgignon which was inedible due to tough, gristly and fatty meat with a salty sauce, a handful of some kind of bean, no visible potatoes and some strange cheese-like substance sprinkled in. Not at all what you'd expect. Others who ordered the lamb shank, chicken marsala, roulade and pasta all enjoyed their meal for the most part - the pasta was dry on my husband's chicken entree. The owner/chef is very charming and sincere and does greet the table warmly. You would like to like this place better because of him. The menu is labeled as "Italian" but seems more Greek - heavy on eggplant, lamb and such. I would return for the soup gladly but not much else I'm afraid.

We stopped by after a party with light for d'oeuvres and just needed a light snack. The restaurant is near our house and we have driven by it hundreds of times, but have never tried it. We spent much of November in Morocco, so my wife noticed the Berber Flag on the sign. I would say we were impressed with the lively friendly environment and the quality of the service and food. We will be going back soon for a full dinner.

Stopped here last minute with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised! I come from a large Italian family and tend to take Italian food seriously! The food was incredibly fresh and you could tell it was made with pride..The chef (also the owner I believe) came out and checked on us which always shows great hospitality. The special lobster ravioli and prawn dish was to die for!!!! My date had the caprese which was wonderful. They even gave us a tiny taste of tiramisu which was delicious. Another reviewer called this place a hidden gem and I couldn’t agree more!

The restaurant's cuisine is mixture of Moroccan, French and Italian. If you expect more traditional or even modern Italian, this ain't it. We had classic pasta with chicken (way, way too saucy) and eggplant, which while is a bit more crispy (and less tender) than usual, is actually not bad either.

My husband and I usually eat at home, but we do enjoy an occasional evening out with good food, especially if the restaurant is quiet enough for conversation. We had a delicious meal (Greek and Italian dishes) with friendly and skillful service. We were there early (6:30 to 7:30) and it was fairly quiet. More people were coming in about the time we were leaving, and they seemed to be regulars, familiar to the staff; a good sign.

The food is absolutely amazing. It's delicious, and the presentation is awesome. The staff is also really friendly and super nice. I would definitely recommend.

This is like an authentic Seattle restaurant. Not over priced, laid back, cool service, and yummy food. The food is cooked by the chief owner who is really into it. The servings are really good size, It's not a posh restaurant but that is part of what I like about it. The menu has a lot of variety.

Smallish, cozy on a rainy night, friendly and helpful. A hard working chef, but unremarkable dishes. Have been there and would go again, but more for the “feel” than the food.

Outside dining option was even more fun than the cozy, colorful inside. The courtyard was sunny and full of delighted diners. The menu options are plentiful. We all waited happily while the busy chef prepared all of our choices freshly and as expressly as possible with a packed restaurant. Appetizers, memorable is the Zouave salad, and pitchers of sangria kept us afloat in conversation and spring cheer. My brother ordered a shrimp and pasta special of the day, we had the PAELLA, which is fabulous. Others chose Italian and North African dishes. Their desserts are homemade and so worth the calories. Prices are make it a place to which we can return. Neighborhood parking was not too challenging and the walk was full of flowers. The chef visited our table both times we went. It's fun to hear all of the cuisines he has worked with and countries where he has lived. The staff are good humored, efficient and attentive. A lively local spot, so glad it thrives!

My sister, who lives in Seattle, was raving about this neat little, out of the way, non-descript, Italian restaurant north of the U. Dub (Go Huskies!). While in town for a few days, we decided it should be at the top of the "out to dinner" list. I'm soooo glad it was! Not difficult to find, unless you are whizzing east on 65th in the rain, at dusk, and chatting. (we had to turn around and double back. From that direction, the blinking "OPEN" sign was more noticeable) The building is at a corner, tucked in on the right hand side, just a smidgen past the light on 25th , (if heading east). Parking is a challenge but after the fabulous culinary adventure, it was apparent that fighting that battle was well worth it. The building could be described as "quaint" or even "spartan", but once in the door and your nose takes over your evaluation processes, you'll be fine. There is outdoor seating, but, This is Seattle... in December... and it's dark and drizzling... It's probably wonderful out there for about 20 days a year.. maybe.. Hey, It's Seattle.... We ate inside (duh). The building is not very big, but they are able to squeeze in about a dozen tables. All are no more than, like , 20 feet away from the kitchen. You can see (and smell) everything that's going on with your food... and everybody else's too! I liked that. We ordered a glass of wine each and began studying the menu. I was pleasantly surprised that they actually filled the wine glass up, unlike so many of those hoity-toity places that want an arm and half a leg for an inch of wine. (And charge more than double what ya can buy two bottles for at Trader Joes! What the hell?) Rather than describe the menu, why don't you Google it? I can only speak for what my sister and I had. It all sounded soo good, but she chose the Rib eye (the chef, who is also the owner said he was out if lobster) and I had the seafood pasta. Yummy! The steak was a healthy size, perfectly done, lightly topped with a mushroom sauce and came with 4 good sized cheesy stuffed, raviolis. Was it good? All I can tell ya is Sis was all smiles as she ate. My seafood pasta was beyond my expectations. The pasta was a balance between salmon, decent sized shrimp, calamari ,and muscles(still in the shell). All were obviously very fresh. They were mixed in and around a healthy portion of pasta, which had a distinctive flavor, but did not overpower the seafood . It was a perfect mixture of texture and flavor. Now, what I should have done, was get a box and take half of it home to enjoy the next day. Didn't happen. Ate it all. Couldn't help myself! I twas soooo good! In summary: Location? Eh... Parking? Eh... The building? Eh... The wine, the staff and the feast? Awesome!!

The Zouave is one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. I dont recognize the experience that the two writers below had, and my experience is more inline with what is on Yelp. The staff is friendly, accomodating, and professional. The chef is personable and comes to visit and have conversations. the food.... well if I could come here every day I would. I come here for all my celebrations - birthdays, promotions, wonderful sundays...i come here all the time.

Cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. Between the fantastic food and awesome service, this place made for a very relaxing Tuesday evening on the patio. With the chef/owner coming out to make sure each and everyone of us enjoyed our food, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Zouave is a small restaurant about a mile north of University Village in Seattle. While seemingly a neighborhood restaurant with a tiny kitchen, Abe, the owner-chef, delivers huge flavors to diners. The menu centers around Italian dishes, but also includes flavors from surrounding Mediterranean countries. In my four different trips to Zouave, Abe has always come out to check with diners, often serving the plates himself. The salads are generous in size, textures, and tastes. The entrees far exceed expectations. Desserts are delicious. On each visit I have ordered a glass of wine based on their suggestion, and have enjoyed a generous pour of a quality wine. My suggestion is to visit Zouave before Seattle discovers this gem—once it does, and it will, you will be on a very long waiting list.

Chose this restaurant because it was close and within walking distance of 25th Ave. What a treasure we found. The food, service and ambience is excellent. No pretensions, just extremely well cooked food, beautifully presented with a personal touch. Our waitress was attentive and a delight; the chef Abe was very engaging and spent time chatting to us about the theme behind the restaurant which was very interesting. It was so good the first time we went that we had to return. If I lived in Seattle I'd eat here all the time. On a one week trip nothing compared to this food for quality, choice and general ambience, albeit quite humble. Forget the top rated places with their fancy interiors - this is a very special restaurant.

This place was highly recommended by friends, who organized a birthday dinner for eight of us. The owners decorated the area with a banner and three balloons. All of us enjoyed our food, we shared some appetizers, also shared some desserts. I had the beef rouladen, and asked for gnocchi instead of couscous - went very well with the lovely sauce. Others had the salmon pasta, the lamb shank, and other entrees. Most of us went home with leftovers. We'll have to come back and try something else.

Unassuming, neighborhood restaurant with outstanding food and service. The chef personally checks with his guests to ensure everything is to your liking. The penne pasta with smoked salmon was delicious and others in my party loved their food as well. Serving sizes are ample. Can't wait to return to try other dishes. We were too full to order dessert but they provided a complimentary tiramisu for us to share. First rate business!

Wow, what an awesome place... an unpretentious décor, with a menu that matches, until you taste this chefs amazing food! This restaurant, and the cozy family atmosphere will transport you across the seas to a world where food is authentic and delicious, where pretense is for someone else, certainly not for the lucky patrons of this fine restaurant. I had an opportunity to taste a lovely assortment of the chef/owner's creations and all were layered in flavor. If you happen to be there on a night that mushroom soup is offered, don't pass it up, the depth of flavor of multiple mushrooms is incredible! This is a neighborhood treasure that I hope will be there for a very long time, and that it won't be swallowed up by folks that are looking for fashion instead of exquisite well prepared food that is layered with flavor. This little place is the real deal, I wish I didn't live 3000 miles away and could go more often. This is what food should be!

Little neighborhood Algerian Italian restaurant located in the Ravenna neighborhood. The chef is very personable and comes out to chat at each table. Food good and fresh.

Weekday 5pm opening , My wife and I were greeted and seated by Abe the chef. He then took our order, offered an excellent bottle of Amarone for $39, turned on some background music, retreated to prepare food and we had the place all to ourselves. My father called himself a chief, cook and bottle washer and the restaurant had a help wanted sign on the wall offering long hours and low pay for anyone meeting that description. We started with a wilted spinach salad with Gorgonzola cheese and order a entree of lobster ravioli with shrimp to share. The homemade bread was very good and I wanted more but we had the outstanding entrees of Beef Bourguignon and Chicken Marsala. The Tiramisu was excellent, the gelato divine and Abe made a special order of Zabaglione Italian Dessert that was perfect. Ample Street Parking

Fabulous food! A small family-run restaurant with amazing food and great service. Cooked and served with love. Fresh ingredients blended perfectly.

This is one of those small places that probably everyone in the neighborhood knows about. It is a family-owned and -run place that doesn't look like much inside or out, but serves up fantastic food. The chef-owner chats with all the diners, and will make changes in the menu if you request it, or even prepare a special food for you if he has the fixings in-house. Our group of 6 enjoyed several different entrees, each one delicious, and we split the tiramisu for dessert, also wonderful. The building is a bit drafty, so dress warmly, but the food is definitely worth it.

The restaurant is very casual, and the restroom is a walk outside around the building. But don't let that put you off. The food is delicious, from the chicken with couscous, the minestrone, the house salad, to the salmon special I enjoyed. Service was very good and the chef came out to find out how we liked our dinners.

We have eated here dozens of times. There is seating in the back under the trees, Food varies, owned and operated by a very good chef.