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Café Zola
Category: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Breakfast & Brunch
112 W Washington StAnn Arbor, MI 48104
Neighborhood: Downtown Ann Arbor
(734) 769-2020
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 4 pm
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
197 reviews for Café Zola
Review Highlights
"Crepes are fantastic and so are the omelets."
(in 57 reviews)
"If you go for brunch, definitely order a french press."
(in 15 reviews)
"Glorious chunks of goat cheese were strewn on the top."
(in 17 reviews)
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197 reviews in English
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Review from Randy G.
Which do you choose? The restaurant that has a 45 min wait, a crowd loitering amongst the tables on their outside patio or stop in a place that has no wait and you're the only souls?
You go with the wait! Your taste buds will thank you happily for waiting. Cafe Zola is a must on the Ann Arbor culinary tour. There is a reason it's packed and you'll wait, because it's good, very good.
Lets start with the pretty latte they brought out. Flavors were good, but it's worth noting that the design they drew gave a very nice presentation.
The good stuff now! The salmon hash with horseradish creme sauce. How often do you get to eat salmon hash. The hash was prepared very well, rich with the salmon flavor, but not too fishy or overpowering. Cutting into those fried eggs and allowing the yolk to soak up in the hash, creates a perfect mortar, tying the salmon, hash, and eggs all together. It now has a full body flavor. Just when you think the dish is complete, comes the horseradish creme sauce with a little bite to the flavor complimenting the salmon. You want that spicy, horseradish kick to the hash to really make it sing.
We couldn't resist and had to try the chocolate and banana crepe as well. Since this was an eating adventure post Big House Big Run 5/10k event, we were craving some more food and carbs. Onto dessert! Many chocolate and banana crepes, served traditionally without ice cream, Zola's comes with it. I would say the bananas were a little mushy and not caramelized enough, but still went well with the chocolate nutella, ice cream, and a thin sweet crepe. -
Review from Amy L.
Chicago, IL
1/11/2012
Excellent Ann Arbor Sunday brunch place! The food is amazing:) Of course, on Sunday it is very crowded and you should expect to wait. There is not a very large waiting area and most people stand outside. Not too bad when the weather is reasonable.
The service is okay, typical for a very busy restaurant on Sunday morning. It seems to be a little expensive, but that doesn't keep people away.
I will most likey be coming back! -
Review from Rebekah H.
Jersey City, NJ
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
$3.50 for coffee is absurd.
This place used to have my two thumbs up everytime, but no one can charge $3.50 for mediocre lukewarm coffee and $13 for eggs and keep my business.
Fyi, Zola, this is not new york. And even in new york, no one charges $3.50 for coffee, except Sarabeth's, but they shouldn't and neither should you. -
Review from Clayton H.
Ann Arbor, MI
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Excellent brunch food. I am a student, so this place can't be frequented too often due to its absurdly priced cuisine. But man, it is wonderful. Absolutely delicious and fresh all the way around. And that is from a guy who has eaten at every breakfast joint in Ann Arbor.
-
Review from NJ C.
Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
1/28/2012
an overly crowded experience that was overpriced. If you want to have a hearty, relaxing brunch and you are a kind of person that can get annoyed by some pretentious hype, this is not the place you want to go. However nice it might seem from the outside.
-
Review from Sam G.
12/14/2011
This place might be three stars if it weren't for the prices and the hype.
I've been here about six times for breakfast and brunch. Sometimes even if I wasn't paying I left feeling I had paid too much.
Service, even when it's not very busy, is removed and abrupt. Good luck when the place is hopping. I always feel like a cog in a machine (and not the Charlie Chaplin funny kind).
The food never wowed me. All of the benedicts (yup. all of 'em. I'm a benny addict) were bland and the textures were all off. The crab cake was fishy and mushy. The eggs didn't bleed perfection.
Their omelets and hash are also just so-so. I could get better seasoning and flavor at a diner, honestly.
There are basically no vegan options here whatsoever so careful if you want to go that route. You can have a bagel with some mustard and a tomato - and that will run you 6 bucks.
There's also something about the clientele that really gets my hair to stand on end (and the rest to fall out from stress). Call me an urban manner stickler but if I'm holding the door for you with one hand, and a stack of to-go boxes in the other, at least thank me? This has happened to me not once but three times. I have also had the door literally slammed in my face and been physically shoved out of the waiting line. All of this on separate occasions.
I see good reviews here for the crepes and waffles so if I ever get finagled into going here again, that's what I'm going to try. The savory route has broken my heart. Hopefully the sweet can mend it. -
Review from Wade D.
Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
12/22/2011
How many wonderful things can I fit into a review. Crepes, omelets, french press coffee, blood orange mimosas...
I think the short list would be negative comments. It's kinda pricey. But soooo worth it! -
Review from Kelsey P.
Ann Arbor, MI
12/7/2011
To me, Cafe Zola is a whole 'nother step up in food quality than any of the breakfast choices in Ann Arbor. Every component of each meal I've seen is of amazing quality - whether it's the honey-mustard sauce, coffee, or salmon.
Unfortunately, this higher quality comes at a price. One might argue that the prices are fair for its finer quality, but these prices relegate me to keeping Cafe Zola's for special occasions. -
Review from star l.
Ferndale, MI
12/28/2011
Funny to see this restaurant categorized in Turkish--after an Saturday evening meal I don't recall many turkish things on the menu! However, what was offered was like dreaming of one flavour to another. They lean slightly heavier on the fish options than meat, but if your interest is flavour, the menu is literally one of those experiences that makes it tough to choose but plan to come back.
-
Review from Dee C.
10/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just went here earlier today and this place had about an hour wait. I guess this could be because it was homecoming week. It was absolutely packed here and they were seating as soon as a table got up. This place is obviously packed for a reason! It wad almost getting to a point where it was getting hard to talk to each other because it was loud.
Nutella banana crepes: chocolate-hazelnut spread, ice cream, banana slices, toasted almonds, creme chantilly and raspberry sauce. This was an amazing crepe! I loved every moment of it and the ice cream was the perfect touch to it!
Fresh squeezed orange juice really means fresh squeezed. It felt absolutely refreshing to drink it.
Rosemary potatoes. Some of the potatoes were burnt and it did not have all that much flavor. I think they need to be cut smaller or do hasbrowns.
The service was a little slow, and some of the things could have gone better, but overall had some really great food. I would go back! -
Review from Tanya A.
10/3/2011
4 stars sounds about right.
This quaint little cafe is a wonderful option for brunch. It is located conveniently near a parking lot in the heart of Ann Arbor.
With French and American influence, Cafe Zola offers a wide variety on their menu and is vegetarian friendly.
My table ordered steamed almond milk, hot chocolate, a Hediye's breakfast, Portabello Panino, creamy tomato soup, and a banana nutella crepe.
The almond milk was just as it says, almond milk. It was good. The hot chocolate was not that hot. Fail. It was, however, not too rich and not too sweet, so I appreciated that. The Hediye's breakfast, a Zola favorite, was mehh.. It came on a bagel, I chose the everything bagel, with scrambled eggs and vegetables. The array of vegetables was interesting..I wouldn't prefer to have asparagus with eggs though. Overall, that dish was bland. For an everything bagel, it didn't have everything on it, especially my favorite, garlic. The eggs lacked flavor, so the salt and pepper at the table had to suffice. I also asked for tabasco sauce and ketchup, to spice it up a bit.
The panini was good, but in general, I'm not too big of a fan of paninis, so again, it was okay. The chips on the side, however, were fantastic. They were a collection of exotic vegetable chips. I've had them before, and they are always good. The pickle was no good.
As for the banana nutella crepe, a la mode...yummy. There was a bit of raspberry sauce on there, which was a nice touch of something sweet and tangy to something so rich. It also complimented the ice cream well. The toasted almonds were a great addition as well...I only wish they put more of it on there. It was a good dessert and filling for three.
The waitress was nice but a bit slow, especially for a slower day at the eatery.
Altogether, the food was mediocre but the menu was great, and I appreciated the effort. Maybe I came on a bad day because my friends raved about this place before I went. I have given it the benefit of the doubt and reviewed Cafe Zola as a 4. I will most likely come back to Zola when I am in Ann Arbor again. -
Review from Benjamin M.
Ann Arbor, MI
8/23/2011
Been here a couple times for breakfast and once for dinner. Large menus are often a warning sign and this place has one of the largest. The omelettes are decent. The smoked salmon hash is one dimensional and over-salted. Oddly, they wouldn't poach the eggs, despite offering eggs benedict on the same menu. The crepes are mostly good, but I wouldn't get the salmon one.
There's nothing horribly offensive about the food, but everything is about $5-$10 more than it should be, including the hot tea, which costs an astounding $8 a pot (!) and is sadly nothing special.
This place gets away with charging top dollar for mediocre fare because there's too little competition in downtown Ann Arbor. Zingerman's Roadhouse is probably a bit too far out of the way for most of the regulars, but if you have the means and the will, it's a far more satisfying (and shockingly less expensive) option. -
Review from Sylvonna R.
Ann Arbor, MI
9/9/2011
I cannot believe I have lived in Ann Arbor almost my whole life and had never discovered Cafe Zola. THIS is my new favorite weekend brunch place. I felt like I was back in Washington, DC at some trendy little cafe where all the hipsters hang out after their long nights that turned into early mornings. With a menu that has savory crepes and sweet crepes, salads, sandwiches, omlettes, burgers, waffles, french toast, pastries and basically anything else your heart could desire, there is a place for everyone and their appetite.
The atmosphere here is great! Perfect location right downtown Ann Arbor. Though bustling and a bit crowded, it seems like the perfect spot to meet a friend and catch up without fear that you'll be taking up a table for too long or worry that your conversation will get too loud (just my kind of place). The staff is friendly and helpful even when they are busy.
Cafe Zola has everything I could ask for in a restaurant; I will definitely be back soon! -
Review from Yasmin E.
8/29/2011
LOVE!
This place is so homey and the food is SUPERB! seriously, ANY omelet that you order is an amazing choice (I've tried them all). Add home fries to your order to experience nirvana.
EXCELLENT brunch spot or place to grab dessert with friends. Ambiance is warm and semi-exotic. I've eaten in brunchspots all over the East Coast. Aside from Sabrina's in Philly, nothing to date comes close to Zola! -
Review from Puneet S.
Columbus, OH
1/19/2012
Favorite breakfast place in Ann Arbor.
-
Review from Jessie S.
8/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wedding anniversary brunch!
My husband and I decided to splurge a little bit and take ourselves out for a nice brunch to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. This was our first visit to Cafe Zola and we had read such great reviews of the place. We were given a great table in the front window. The staff was very friendly and attentive however I did not expect the menu to be so expensive. Holy crap!
I ordered the champignon crepe. It was flavorful and light and covered my entire plate. The dish didn't disappoint with the amount of mushrooms in the porcini mushroom sauce. It's important to note when ordering the crepe that all you receive is the crepe, no fruit or other accompaniment. As a result, I only ate half of it as I got bored with eating so much of the same thing. Did I mention that it cost $11.95?
My husband ordered the asparagus and goat cheese omelette. This dish cost $14.95 and consisted of 3 scrambled eggs overcooked in a pan then folded over grilled asparagus and goat cheese. It was served with a side of rosemary-garlic roasted red skin potatoes. There wasn't anything particularly special about this omelette. The eggs were not very fluffy. The asparagus was good, but it was simply grilled asparagus. The side of potatoes were good, but nothing out of the ordinary. I suppose I'm just confused as to what makes this dish so special that it justifies charging $15.00.
We really wanted to like Cafe Zola, but it just didn't make sense as to why it is so expensive. Please note that I just moved to Ann Arbor from San Francisco and am not a stranger to paying for expensive food. However when paying $10+ for a breakfast dish there should be something about it that makes it stand out and be truly worth what you are paying. It was very disappointing to pay such an exorbitant amount for food that is nothing special, only less greasy than neighboring competitors. -
Review from Debbie H.
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
When did Zola earn the 5-star rating from Deb and I? How soon after I tasted the smoked salmon omelette did the stars begin adding up? Was it just a single bite after tasting the fluffy, perfectly cooked egg, the fresh salmon, the palate-satisfying mustard sauce or the seasoned potatoes that we were seeing stars?
Maybe it was only after trying Deb's strawberry and banana waffle with real whipped cream (and realizing a one-bite "I'll just try it" promise was going to border on impossible) that the rating climbed.
Could've been the terrific lemonade and tea ... Or the outstanding, cheerful service (Katrina) ... Or, or actually who cares?
I guess all that matters is that everything that goes into a place earning five stars, Zola accomplished in short order.
We were heading to the hospital at UofM for a less-than-pleasant morning and afternoon but Zola helped get us off on the right foot with a more-than-pleasant breakfast. We'll be back. -
Review from Jennifer V.
Ann Arbor, MI
9/3/2011
I've been here for both brunch and dinner, and I've gotta say that I definitely prefer their brunch. Their dinner is good, but their brunch is superb.
I wasn't overly impressed with their dinner selection. I've had a couple of different entrees (once I had pasta, the other time, I can't remember), and both times it seemed a bit bland.
The brunch, on the other hand, is excellent. I generally get their Americana breakfast - simple and straightforward. The eggs are cooked to perfection, and I usually have bacon with it. What makes the breakfast, though, are the potatoes. Yum!!
The only issue I have with Zola is that their portions are on the small side for their prices. I don't come here often, typically for this reason. If I want a larger brunch for the same price, I'll generally go to Zingerman's Roadhouse or a coney. -
Review from Christopher T.
Manhattan, NY
8/29/2011
Definitely a must visit if in Ann Arbor.
I had the open faced omelette with artichoke, peppers, potatoes, green beans, and onions. It was so amazing! My niece had the snowball waffle which was also yum, yum, yum.
I don't think they make anything here that is bad. Plus, the service is very friendly. -
Review from Becky H.
Ann Arbor, MI
7/24/2011
Came here for cocktails in a group of 10 at night (had to call ahead to make reservations), and they were quite tasty. I had a bellini and something else... both very good, each $9-10.
I was a bit taken aback to see that the spaghetti & meatballs was $26. Whooooooa. I don't care how good it is, I am not paying that much + tax + tip for a plate of pasta. -
Review from Katie M.
Lakewood, OH
11/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
This breakfast was hands down the best I've ever had in my life. AMAZING flavors for pancakes and omelets. This place is so good I feel like simple food like pancakes and eggs just doesn't do it justice. Really if you're in Ann Arbor this HAS to be one of your stops.
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Review from Bridget K.
Chicago, IL
5/25/2011
An actress friend of mine was shooting part of her latest romantic comedy in Ann Arbor so I made the journey from Detroit to meet for lunch. We landed on Cafe Zola thanks to a suggestion from her hair stylist based in Ann Arbor.
We walked right in because it was already 2 pm. We had passed the lunch rush. Our server was new but she did a great job! We both got the Turkish lemonade with was good but pretty sugary. The entre was pretty good and a nice sized portion. My friend got one of the soup specials because of the great bread. She was not disappointed. -
Review from Amy B.
2/28/2011
Cafe Zola makes me cranky.
When I first moved to Ann Arbor in the early aughts, Zola was a chill, laid back cafe that turned into a hot brunch spot on the weekends and a bistro around dinner time. During the day, you could park yourself on one of their funky velvet couches or little cafe tables, hook up the laptop, and pound away on the keyboard while slurping bottomless coffees and inhaling pastries.
They changed their business model several years ago to be more like a restaurant and less like a cafe. Basically, there is no more grad student lurking in Zola. This is now a serious upscale eatery, where every patron is seated properly at a table eating food and leaving when they're done.
Which would be fine--there are many restaurants that I love that can also be described this way. But Zola is so effing pretentious, and the food just doesn't back up the attitude. Either Zola trains its staff to act snotty, or the owners tend to hire people who are that way by nature. The greeters and servers are almost uniformly unfriendly.
Nothing here in my mind is exceptional food. I like the Belgian waffles covered in ice cream and sweet toppings, but it just takes a trip to the grocery store to make something similar at home. The sandwiches are good, but again, easily replicated--and while I know Zingerman's bread is the hallmark of a good restaurant in Ann Arbor, I would appreciate not having a sore jaw after trying to eat my sandwich. Enough with the crusty old bread! I usually order the meatloaf sandwich here for $12. It's ok. Just ok. By comparison, my favorite meatloaf sandwich in Boston in one of the most expensive areas of town is $9 and about 3 times as delicious.
I'll use one specific experience here to illustrate. Some friends were getting married, and asked me to organize a brunch for the wedding party (mostly out of towners) at Zola the day of the wedding. I made a reservation but we still had loads of fun with table mishaps and them refusing to seat us when one member of our huge group had trouble getting parking. Yep, 13/14 people in a group is not enough for them to seat you. The food was its usual mediocre self. Then the bill came, and jaws dropped. Over $7 for a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice! We joked that you could buy a bag of oranges AND the labor to squeeze them for less than that price.
Let's see, good things to say about Zola. They have a good tea selection. Their coffee is strong and tasty (but overpriced, especially considering that Sweetwaters is about 20 feet away). But really, the only reason I'm giving them the second star is because I remember the way it once was. -
Review from CUNIT T.
Detroit, MI
11/5/2011
Great creeps and brunch on the weekends!
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Review from Christine F.
Chicago, IL
4/20/2011
We have a few friends in Ann Arbor, and the last few times we've been through this stretch we've gotten dinner at Zola.
It's always been very busy when we've gone. Service has always been good. Food has always been tasty.
I've had the wild mushroom pasta. It's pasta (I presume fresh) made with a mushroom cream sauce, asparagus and a basil-walnut pesto with herbed goat cheese. Just dreamy. So dreamy. It's as good as it sounds.
Way back, in the days of yore, I had a lemon/caper fish, which was also very good. The pasta was more memorable, though. I am a carb fiend...
This place is a delicious place for dinnah. Very parent friendly, as well. -
Review from Gjon C.
Ann Arbor, MI
1/4/2011
I have walked past Café Zola for years. I'm pretty sure I had a cup a coffee there when it first opened, but somehow I got it stuck in my mind that the only reason to go there was for crepes and I just never got around to wanting crepes. I know this is unfair and probably even completely inaccurate.
I decided to try some new places in 2011 so after finding 3 others closed or full, and once again walking past this place, I stepped into the velvet shower curtain area, and before I could object, I was pleasantly invited in. "Just one?" Yes, the bar was fine.
The menu listed Turkish coffee, the best in town no less. Interesting. By a strange twist of unlikely events, I had missed my morning Albanian coffee, first time in years probably. Even though I did have a late morning cup, my neck, head and even brain hurt because of this botched routine. I asked the waitress behind the counter if it was in fact the best in town. She back peddled a bit; I could see her thinking "great, one of these types of customers". They had to bring out a special burner to make it. Now I was sure they hated me. It took a few tries to get the water level right and I was wondering if they were going to ask how much sugar, which eventually they did.
It was a Tuesday during lunch, but it was surprisingly busy. The staff bustled back and forth. The place is your typical main street Ann Arbor establishment; great décor, interesting layout... but something seemed odd. After a while I realized everyone that worked there was a woman and of similar type. Made sense, Café Zola is steeped in female energy but not at all overly feminine. I asked the woman that brought me my coffee if it was a pre requisite to be female in order to work there. She said no, woman were just the only ones that survived. I was starting to like this place.
I briefly glanced at the menu, but wasn't in the mood to think. I asked which item was their best. This always gets a quick "What do you like?" question. I have learned to quickly answer "I like everything" and then yes to any follow-up questions. She ended up ordering the farmers omelet for me. I know why do I inflict this unnecessary burden on people simply trying to make a living? I'm sure I'll do it again, but next time I have to remember to say they should bring me the most interesting dish on the menu.
The food coffee were good, the place had a great vibe. I'm very glad I went in and unlike most places, I like to return and would bring friends here. The only question is should I try and find out which week in the month I should try to avoid.
Atmosphere ****
Food ***
Service ***
Overall *** -
Review from Rugen R.
Kirkland, WA
9/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food here was AMAZING. Like other places, be prepared for a long wait if you don't go there early enough.
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Review from Jeremy M.
Charlotte, NC
4/26/2011
I visited this place with a couple friends who live in Michigan and raved about this place and whereas my main dish was just ok, everything else, food, beverage & atmosphere, was amazing and I look forward to trying something else next time I venture that way.
I ordered the Frittata Zola which is an Italian open faced omelet that had sweet potato cubes, goat cheese and a type of fresh croutons on top. The lineup sounded outstanding and was very fresh but I felt like the eggs or other ingredients should've been seasoned with something. It had a very bland taste for all of those ingredients and my assumption is it didn't have a pinch of salt or pepper.
Now on to the rest which isn't much. The dish I ordered came with some homestyle fries that were amazing. I literally could've just sat there and eaten those alone all day and it's been a while since I felt that way about a potato. The dish also came with some baguette type toast where it and the butter was great. And lastly, the freshly squeezed OJ was the best I'd ever had and I can only imagine they squeezed it for me moments before bringing it to the table, not earlier that morning. It was that good. -
Review from Annette J.
Dearborn Heights, MI
Seriously, Zola! How you gonna make the best strawberry and banana waffle ever?! I mean, honestly! It's just a waffle! With fresh strawberries and bananas! And yet, you've got me craving this ish on a regular basis! How does that happen?
Ah right! Quality control! Excellent ingredients! The right proportions. REAL WHIPPED CREAM. That's right. You got it.
And your crepes? Oh man. The spiced apple crepe with the cranberries and pecans (or was it walnuts? They're both good so it's cool). The perfect fall meal! Love. It. The steamed milk and honey? The most soothing beverage you can get.
There can be a wait but it's worth it. And it's usually not too bad (if you're a late riser like I am anyway). The patio outside is lovely for warm days but the inside is loud and bustling. Quite the pick me up!
Menu choices abound! Not just waffles and crepes but Mediterranean plates, omelets and other egg dishes, salads, sandwiches, coffee, smoothies, ahhhh! So many choices! Thank goodness my trusty waffle is so good that I never have to worry about feeling overwhelmed. But it's good to know if I'm feeling like a savory dish that I've got options. Many, many options.
And they do dinner too! But that's for another day. I'm too stuck on these waffles right now.... -
Review from Charles J.
Ann Arbor, MI
5/27/2011
Such a yummy lunch spot! I've only ever had the dinner (also succulent) and finally had time to come in for lunch.
I had the Summer in Provence salad with the most delicious vinaigrette I've ever had! The combination of goat cheese, roasted red peppers and mushrooms on a salad is superb. I also had a mojito that was perfectly minty and refreshing. My date had the crepe Zola and it was the perfect pairing of tomatos and mozzerella and light fluffy crepe - if you're in Ann Arbor, you have to try this place, it's definitely one of the best! -
Review from Joe H.
Saint Clair Shores, MI
Review #100!
My brother goes to U of M. Sometimes he needs a ride home and make the 60 minute drive to pick him up. Usually we go in the evening, make a dinner trip to Zingerman's Roadhouse or Jolly Pumpkin, but I now have a reason to pick him up in the morning.
Thanks to the mostly positive reviews, I made sure we were visiting Zola. A Turkish breakfast spot? How could I say no. On top of that, my dad was with us and he likes to try multiple items at new places. The menu is extensive. Lots of goodies to try...
First of all, French press coffee. Wow. The Ethiopian variety served that morning was incredibly rich and a had faint cinnamon flavor. So good.
I ordered the Turkish eggs. Baked sunny side up eggs, French feta, and sauteed spinach served with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. On the side, I had chorizo. Many layers of flavor. Perfectly cooked eggs with creamy yolk, briny/tangy feta, earthy/sweet spinach, and super fresh cukes & tomatoes. All elements accentuate each other. Salty & spicy chorizo was an excellent compliment to the fresh, rich eggs.
Other dishes sampled:
excellent thick cut bacon
incredible breakfast sausage (as an aside, I was incredibly disappointed that they were out of the locally made Polish sausage - oh well, a reason to return)
spiced fruit & strawberry-banana waffles - the waffles have amazing texture and the toppings are fresh and amazingly flavorful
Frittata Zola: an interesting mix of sweet, tangy, savory, and texturally complex
French toast: even a simple dish like French toast is elevated here. Using Zingerman's bread helps, but the spicing is perfect with subtle sweetness.
We waited nearly 30 minutes for a table at 10:00. When we left, it appeared that the wait time had increased considerably, but the wait is most definitely worth it. I would recommend everything we tried, but if I had to order one dish again it would be the Turkish eggs. Quite simply one of the best breakfasts around - period. -
Review from Sarah A.
11/8/2010
I hate standing in line. I mean, I HATE standing in line...but waiting for brunch at Cafe Zola is so worth the agony of listening to the rest of the people waiting stand around and be self important.
I took a Zola virgin there yesterday for my personal favorite menu item: smoked salmon omelette. That omelette never ceases to amaze me, in fact I had previously been reluctant to try new things on the menu because of the sheer joy I experience while eating this thing! We added spinach and avocado to the omelette because at Zola, you can add pretty much whatever you want to your eggs. It should go without saying that spinach and avocado are fine companions for smoked salmon omelettes!
We also ordered a french press of the Ethiopian roast coffee. Yummy, rich, dark caffeinated goodness. I love that I can go to a restaurant and get a full french press just like I would make myself at home. Drip coffee is so not the same...especially in a high-end brunch joint!
So go to Zola, but be prepared to wait forever and a day if you have a party of more than two. -
Review from Jaron O.
Philadelphia, PA
3/28/2011
I enjoyed everything about this place, I'm just giving it 4 stars because I think it seemed a bit overpriced to me. I had an omelette that was really tasty, but no omelette should be $13 in my opinion (to be fair, most of them were $11 or $12, but that's still kinda steep, no?).
Otherwise, friendly service, great food and beverages (bloody mary was killiin'), and a solid commitment to fresh organic ingredients has a big thumbs up from me. Plus I love a place that serves breakfast until 3pm :). -
Review from Darin E.
Get there early for Sunday brunch.
At 9:30: you sit right down.
At 10:30: you wait for 30-45 minutes.
The press pot of coffee was fantastic - We got the house Sumatran, but a lot of other choices were available (Ethiopian, Mexican, and on and on).
I am not a sweets-for-breakfast sort of guy, but I am tempted to return soon for crepes or waffles. The menu looked fantastic.
This time, I got the Turkish Eggs and they were done perfectly -- the menu says baked sunny side up, but think poached medium (without being watery at all). Served with the best tomato and cucumber I have had in a restaurant in ages - they actually tasted like they were from an heirloom garden. The bed of spinach, feta cheese, and olives balanced the sweetness of the tomato and cucumber. The thick crunchy sesame seed toast with herbed butter rounded things out. Just real good. Real real good.
$40 for two breakfasts (including tip) makes this a once a year treat for this diner, but worth it every time. -
Review from Julie H.
1/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ehhh...
Maybe we ordered the wrong things...or my palate wasn't too thrilled...thinking back, we had one of their savory crepes - the ratouielle and it really didn't have much flavor. We also ordered a frittata - which didn't taste like anything to me either...
Plus - they're on the pricey side....next time, I'll have a dessert crepe...
Till then, 2 stars for their endearing space. -
Review from Jay R.
Westport, CT
9/5/2011
This review is for brunch at 10am on a weekday morning in August, so I can't offer any views on crowding or table turnover issues. While it was a bit on the pricey side, it was worth every penny for the quality and attention to detail. The coffee was excellent (some kind of Sumatran French roast) and constantly replenished, as was the water. The breads were from Zingerman's and fresh and good. I had an Istanbul omelette - eggplant, cheese (I substituted havarti for whatever cheese they normally used) and some other vegetables that I can't recall, and it was superb. My wife loved her spinach omelette and my son's waffles were among the best I had anywhere. Add in a cool vibe and it's a great brunch place.
-
Review from Kim G.
Falls Church, VA
9/23/2010
Brunch you say? I'm in.
I realized a lot of places in Ann Arbor have exposed brick and nice artwork. When we arrived, they took our name and had us wait at the bar as we ordered some coffee. The best thing was when our name was called, they brought over all 4 coffees to our table for us! I love coffee with my savory entree of choice and this time it was the Turkish Eggs. The spinach fused into the egg white, with a block of feta cheese nestled in between the two yolks, and a burst of color from the ripe tomato slices and kalamata olives. I was intrigued, and it was filling. The portions are pretty large here, and you'll probably have to take your side of potatoes home (and I love that it's a side of potatoes and not toast)!
A cafe to enjoy, and the menu is extensive. I even got a peek into the men's room where the mirror has a round lightbulb to frame your face. Am I the first to mention this important detail? -
Review from Jasmine L.
Northbrook, IL
7/25/2010
Awesome brunch place just off Main Street. My aunt raved about this French-y bistro brunch cafe, so before herding my sister off to catch her train at noon, we all went here Sunday morning. (Holy crap at the line outside, by the way. Prepare to spend about 30 minutes milling around.)
First off - best coffee, hands down, that I've had in a long long time. I got the cafe latte and it was creamy, caffeinated goodness. Yum. My sister got the soy cafe au lait and oh man - it came out with an empty cup the size of a pool, and two little bottles, one brimming with foamed soy milk, and the other steaming with freshly brewed coffee. To say that it was exceptional is an understatement.
Ah, but we need to talk about the food. I got the omelette duxelles, my sister got the frittata zola, my aunt got the turkish delight, and my cousin got the banana and strawberry crepes. OH THE BOUNTIFUL DELICIOUSNESS! My omelette was chockful of sauteed mushrooms and the porcini sauce is divine. (Only thing - I couldn't see or taste any onions/shallots, which was a shame, but it didn't take away from the taste.) The egg was thick and fluffy - so fluffly that it makes me want to ask for a two egg omelette next time. And I asked for vermont cheddar inside the omelette, which I have decided is my new favorite cheese.
The frittata zola is basically an egg-sweet potato-crouton-onion pizza, with a thin, thin "open-faced" egg bottom. Divine. Glorious chunks of goat cheese were strewn on the top. The Turkish delight is a spinach and feta cheese (chunk) fiesta with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes on the side WITH two fried/sunnyside eggs nestled right on top of the feta cheese. And man, that crepe was just bursting with fruity goodness. The only downside was that it came with three ginormous blooms of creme fraiche on top, which, given that my cousin is only 8 years old, would send her right into cardiac arrest.
The exposed brick walls and teeny photogapher lights only help to heighten the feeling that you are in a Parisian bistro, oddly transplanted in the middle of campus town. The waitresses are awesome - especially considering that the shop is crammed full of chattering people - and they can memorize all of the orders perfectly, no pad or pencil needed.
Needless to say, this has become a spot that I need to frequent every time I visit Ann Arbor. (Oh and another clincher? Along with my omelette came a side of hot Zingermen's bread. YUMM!) -
Review from Dom P.
Sterling Heights, MI
3/14/2011
I guess I won't be a hipster and put down a place that has had more positive reviews in reputable publications like the NY Times than most any other restaurant in this area but...I like it.
I've been here twice at this point; both times for weekend brunch. It was extremely busy both days, but there was little to no wait. Yes, it gets crowded in this place and there is very little room to move around. If you have a problem with small walkways, this isn't your place. If you're familiar with the words "excuse me", check it out.
Both times (because I'm apparently an old man who enjoys a routine) I had the Crepe Zola. It was great and tasted just as good the second time as it had the first time. My friends tried the Florentine Crepe and the Ratatouille Crepe, as well as a house salad, some sort of side order of red skin potatoes, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, espresso, and Turkish coffee. Having two grown men tell me that they were surprisingly full after a crepe, added to the fact that I was unable to finish either of mine (each on separate visits), makes me feel like the crepes are indeed wholesome and good. From what I heard about the beverages, they're pretty impressive if you consider yourself knowledgable in coffee/espresso. I'm not a big dog so I stayed on the porch and had raspberry iced tea.
Cool place altogether. I will definitely return. -
Review from Patrick M.
Ypsilanti, MI
3/11/2011
I'm giving Cafe Zola four stars because my experience there was OK. I enjoyed that the place was very busy, but I was able to get in without a wait.
The service was great, my server was very helpful and nice even with the place being so busy.
The food was ok but had a lot of potential. I had the Turkish Eggs which I think the eggs were way over cooked. So much so the feta cheese got to be very dry.
My wife had a omelet it was basically goat cheese, a big slab of eggs and onions. Good ingredients but not very good in my opinion.
I do plan to go back because the food could be better I plan to look at suggestions on yelp before I go next time.
