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Mon-Thu. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
For me, this is Nashville's main attraction. The service, food, and ambiance are all impeccable. We shared a butternut squash soup that was out of this world! If it's on the menu, don't think twice about ordering it. The steak fillet and venison were also spot on. Side dishes are inventive (just an example: potatoes, brined & fried, layered with prosciutto and provolone, shallot butter, sundried tomato relish) and a wonderful compliment to your entree of choice. HIGHLY recommend this place for special occasions and the like as the prices are a bit steep.
we went to Zola last night to celebrate our anniversary...we went for obvious reason: best restaurant in Nashville and have read it was one of the most romantic places to dine. It definitely was delicious, but romantic...not so much.
we were promptly seated (had a reservation on a Monday night so wasn't an issue at all) in the dining area along the window in the front. my boyfriend and I looked at each other and were like: huh? this is romantic? decor is okay, nothing to write home about, but not romantic. The main dining area is not romantic either. really no clue why people think it is...
but on to the important part: the food! we started with the Shrimp Tempura (3 big pieces of shrimp, yummy), the Potato Skins (I agree with the overload of ingredients, but this was delish and would order again) and the Beet and Heat (when it arrived, and after first bite, I told the waiter I didn't think they put the dressing on, which he said they did. it had no heat. he said he has heard that complaint a few times in the past week. if it had the heat that dish would be amazing. wish it did. beets were still super yummy). we shared the Paella. AMAZING. I would order it again and again. not like traditional paella at all, had a nice zing to it. overall delicious.
since we shared a main and a bunch of starters and one glass of wine each our bill was under $100 including tip. not as bad as we thought it would be. would definitely go back...
didn't give all the stars bc we were disappointed that it wasn't romantic and our waiter was terrible.
Sometimes, when you are driving around Nashville, say Bell Road, you wonder when you took the exit to Hades. Sometimes, it's just the opposite.
Somewhere between Earth and Heaven is an anti-limbo and Zola is the official caterer there! For a vegetarian, this place is just a dream come true in this meat and potatoes and chik'n land. They actually have a separate vegetarian menu and the main course dead animals menu also carried about three or four veggie dishes.
The Zola skins, no Jewish references here, were just awesome with caps everything. Words cannot describe it, so I won't try. But let me just say that the sauces, the chutneys and the actual skins were just another experience. I got the Tagine and the cous cous and the entire vegetable garden in it was just worth the slow wait. There was Figaro's Marriage in my mouth by the time I finished that plate. The wine list was interesting, but for a wannabee oenophile like me, it was pretty disappointing with the lack of non-American wines by the glass. My wife had a vegetarian dish that came with battered beetroot. For once, I was baffled. Battered and beetroot never crossed paths in my life ever and now I want to adopt them as my pet turtles.
In short, this place is worth the 16$ entrees and will make a great first date.
Really it's a 4.5 star place. Absolutely great service - both times I've been in the last few weeks. Food was accessible, yet different. Food was spectacular - we had quail stuffed with lamb as an appetizer followed by chili-coffee crusted venison and paella. Fantabulous! For dessert, we had a pear, blueberry galette that was amazing! Wine list was nice as well. Came back a second time with 7.5 people - and still the service was great and the food was amazing. I can't recommend this place highly enough!
This is where I come for my birthday every year because it is so fantastic. The staff are very knowledgable about the food and wine and very friendly (not pretentious).
I normally split an appetizer, then go with the French Laundry salad and the fish of the day. Deb knows fish like nobody else in Nashville. I've tried their filet and braised short ribs which are also delicious..but IMHO if you want fish in this land-locked city get it at Zola's. They make the best of fresh, in-season ingredients and their dishes are well-proportioned and balanced.
The decor might be cheesy, but I never really notice it because the romantic low lighting and breezy feel of the place really focuses you on your dining companion. I think it is very romantic and I LIKE that they serve you "slowly"! If I'm doing fine dining I want a calming, relaxed atmosphere where I can savor each dish...not a race to the finish.
Go to Zola, get the fish, drink a bottle of wine and enjoy!
We went here for our anniversary and were disappointed with the quality of the food, esp. in comparison to its price.
I ordered the paella, supposedly the restaurant's signature dish, but found it a bit greasy and rather bland. My wife ordered a fish special--can't remember the fish--but also thought that her food was flavorless.
In addition, the wine menu listed a Concannon wine that I particularly liked, but was not actually in stock at the restaurant.
The atmosphere is pleasant, and the dim lighting and decor is good for couples. Unfortunately, the men's room had a strong and persistent sewer odor which is, needless to say, a bit off-putting.
The service was exemplary, however, and our waiter managed to strike the right balance of being attentitve without hovering.
I went during restaurant week and enjoyed the food and service. Price was right and the food portions were generous. I got gazpacho with fried avocado - yummy. Had the pork tenderloin next, recommend to add bacon. The chorizo on top was delicious. For dessert I had the chocolate brownie with smoked chocolate cherry ice cream. That was the best dessert I've had in a while. My friend got the other menu and what I enjoyed was the brie with blackberries, 3 grain risotto (extremely yummy!) and the bacon brownies. I would have liked more bacon in the brownie but that is just me. :) Food was sinfully good.
I took my fiancee to Zola for her birthday last December. We had the best table in the restaurant. The dining room to the left of the bar..right in the corner by the wall divider....thank you to the host for making our night that much better.
Do yourself a favor and visit these fine folks. My seafood paella was thrown together with some of the best seafood I've had in Nashville. Her fillet was cooked to the nines...perfectly pink in the middle.
Unlike some of the other higher end places in Nashville.. we felt very welcomed and comfortable.
We'll be back...
What kind of food do they serve here? There's no particular theme, and the food begs and borrows from too many regions. Then there's the ingredient overkill. More isn't always more, and piling 40 ingredients into one dish doesn't necessarily translate to "better." The paella, although tasty, is nontraditional in both its preparation as well as the way it is served, more like a soup. Desserts are great, wine list is a little thin, and the service is good.
This was our second time to visit in a month. Once for my b-day and once for my wife's. Both times, we had excellent service (as you always get) and the food selection is incredible. I would always recommend waiting to make your decision on what you want to order until you hear the specials for evening. There is usually fresh fish with a very nice presentation and flavor profile. We will definitely return and enjoy another meal here. I know if you choose Zola, you won't be disappointed.
I mean it when I say this is the best food I have ever had.
I have never spent that much money on food and been way more then ok with it. Generally, when I go to a fancy and expensive restaurant I feel like Im paying to wait longer for the same quality food I can get at nearly any above average joint. Not this place. Total fan and only wish I could afford to go more.
The chef is amazing at what she does.
I'm bewildered as to why I haven't written a review of Zola until now..maybe it's because I've been going there for longer than I've been yelping? It's certainly not because I don't love it. Zola is one of my favorite restaurants, not just in Nashville, but any city I've ever eaten. Deb Paquette has been consistently named one of Nashville's top chefs for several years and for good reason. She definitely has a unique style, and it's bold, so if you're looking for steak and potatoes, go to The Palm. This woman has skills, and her food is definitely not boring. Your palate will be pleased if you are the adventurous type- I promise!
All good with one big exception.......Monday night, no reservation and got sat within 15 minutes. Our waitress Heidi was very attentive (despite having 3 other tables) and knowledgable on the wine selection. My friend ordered the Sangria (which came with an umbrella!) and I had the Zolatini (with blue cheese stuffed olives - deeelish).
We split the Foie gras Duck confit appetizer - indulgent but melted in our mouths. VERY filling because it had waffles stacked in between the meats. Heidi reccomended a syrah that complimented it perfectly.
For the meal I had the scallops and mushroom truffle risotto - very heavy but anything with truffles makes my stomach tingle! My friend ordered the 12 oz filet. Again Heidi made excellent wine reccs. The owner even came over and talked to us a bit about the quality of the ingredients and the cooking methods - very impressive.
This is where my good review ends, however, because the steak was WAY over-cooked. We ordered it medium rare - and it came medium well. The next day we were still complaining on how the dinner was almost perfect except for the steak - and how we should have sent it back (and we never send things back).
So, a good review with one big exception. I would stick with their seafood and poultry!
Yet again, I was disappointed by an "upscale" restaurant in Nashville. First and most distractingly, I found the decor absolutely horrendous and outdated. It looked like a bad 1980s impression of fine dining.
We started with the bistro plate (an assortment of Mediterranean-esque items...cheese, olives, etc) , which honestly was the highlight of the meal. I decided to go out of the box and try the lobster omelet as my main course. It was not very good. Though very reasonably priced for the amount of lobster, it was bland and just so-so. I would not order it again.
Actually, I would not come back to Zola again. I am absolutely flummoxed as to why this place gets such great reviews (maybe I'm just a food snob?). In my opinion, it was outdated and absolutely mediocre.
I would agree with the previous review in that this is one of Nashville's finest, if not THE finest. I went last night with my family for a belated birthday celebration and had one of the most enjoyable dining experiences in years.
The initial atmosphere was warm, with a cozy, bisected dining room decorated with mediocre, expensive looking art and interesting iron grate work. The menu was exceptional from top to bottom, an interesting balance of sweet and savory with inventive accompaniments such as banana mint creme fraiche and fried beets.
My party of seven and I tried almost the entire menu, passing plates around all night, and everything was prepared with the same delicacy and care that makes this restaurant such a special place.
The only thing you should know before making reservations (which, by the way, are a little difficult to obtain on weekends) is that one should be prepared to be there for a long time. With bread service, wine, appetizers, salads, entrees, and desert our entire meal took almost three hours. You might also want to bring smelling salts for whoever looks at the bill first.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Nashville. My boyfriend & I came in during the early evening hours for dinner (with a reservation) and were seated promptly. Interior is admittedly dated... seriously, straight out of 1980 but ask me if I come for the decor and I'll point to my 5-star rating.
Service was attentive - the waitress asked if we had ever dined there before and then proceeded to explain the menu. We ordered the greek plate as an appetizer, which included cheeses, olives, humus, and other assorted items. The plate was huge! We nearly at the whole thing (I always reason that I can take my entree home, if necessary). Entrees arrived in good time. I ordered the their specialty paella and my boyfriend ordered a fish dish. We both loved it! The ingredients tasted fresh and well seasoned and at the perfect temperature. We left with take-home boxes and enjoyed Zola again the next day.
Zola is on the pricey side for Nashville but I believe you get what you pay for here.
Note that parking is rotten here... and whatever you do, do not park under the post on the street (near the entrance). I found out the hard way that birds tend to congregate above and leave little surprises on freshly washed cars.
I agree with the comments about the strange décor. I am all about a little designer flare every now and then, but Zola... Seriously? The food can be exceptional or just really good. I have had the scallops with porcini mushrooms which were like heaven on earth. I like the crazy décor because it makes the atmosphere feel sophisticated and trendy. The wait staff is great and never had any problems keeping my Jack & Coke filled!
Zola was recently voted Nashville's Most Romantic Restaraunt by Nashville Scene readers. I'm not positive I agree with that, though it certainly is a nice to look at place. The menu seems to be less than vast in selection, focused around new cuisine, but not necessarily a country of origin.
There are a lot of seafood options, and several other meats nightly, usually a Pork Chop, a filet, and a piece of chicken. Vegetarian options are existent, albeit limited, while the entrees are all pretty hearty.
It's not that Zola doesn't have a lot going for it, it's just that the price is hard to justify, as you're easily looking at a hundred dollar meal for two if you want appetizers, wine, and desert
The appetizers were exquisite (the shrimp with manchego cheese wrapped in prosciutto, the rare seared tuna with avocado...). Coupled with a spanish wine, the meal got off to a wonderful start. The paella, however, did not match up. It lacked any clams, which I have always had in paella, and overall didn't have enough flavor to make it work. It wasn't bad by any standard, but just wasn't great either. The trio of homemade gelatos finished the evening off perfectly... As for the overall experience, out waitress was attentive and knowledgeable. The decor was eclectic and charming (mural of desert, international menus covering bathroom walls, a tent room). I enjoyed this meal and would certainly return.
OMG. There's not a better restaurant in this town. There couldn't be. Zola's had FRIED GREEN TOMATOES that were sooooooooo good.
We picked this restaurant because all reviews regarding top restaurants in Nashville mentioned this place. It did not disappoint. I thought the dinner here was outstanding. Excellent decor, top notch service, food presentation was excellent--very artistic, and of course the most important the food was delicious. I started with a Potato Bisque special and it was delicious. My wife had the French Laundry salad which was a huge portion and very good. For an entree I had the Spanish Braised Brisket with grilled potato, carrots, and shiitake aioli. Very good portion and excellent food. My wifehad a crusted salmon dish that she raved about. We ordered the wine they recommended and both were good choices. We passed on dessert because we were stuffed. Great place, outstanding service, great food. I highly recommend this place.
I had a horrible experience here. We had reservations at another nearby restaurant but they had lost our reservation. We decided to check and see if we could get in at Zola without a reservation. When we walked in, the hostess asked if we had reservations and we told her no and that we understood if they could not take us on such short notice. She looked down her nose at us and said "Why don't you try Shoney's?" in a condescending tone and then turned to giggle about it with the other girl standing up front with her. I don't care how good the food may be, I will not return. As a side note, we ended up at Nick & Rudy's and had a fantastic meal.
My husband and I had a miserable dinner here over restaurant week. We weren't greeted by a host until waiting for at least 10 minutes at the entryway (we had a reservation), the menu was pre-ordained (no options), the food was uninspired (paella, lemon cake...) the service was incredibly slow (took us almost 2 hours for 3 courses), and the ambiance felt like a hotel restaurant in toledo (bright lights, 80's art, fake plants, etc). Restaurant week is supposed to be a great way for restaurants to reach out to diners that had been waiting for a reason to try them, and by giving US a bad experience, we will not be back, or recommending it to others. Big disappointment.
My favorite restaurant in Nashville - fantastic food, great staff. Owner is often around and is extremely friendly. Staff is extremely helpful with making modifications to meals (for those of us who are a tad picky). I would highly recommend Zola to anyone. The French Laundry salad is fantastic (and named after the restaurant).
Also, I find the prices to be relatively modest (most entrees seem to be around $20), especially given the quality.
what an eclectic decor!!! this place definitely stands out in terms of look and feel of a cozy place.
the overall experience was awesome! not only were the plates delicious, but the companion that joined me was fabulous! we ordered several appetizers, main dish, wine, and dessert; so it was like that of tapas, we just decided that way so that we can have more of the goodies. our server was great, she gave us good guidelines to our dishes and our spanish wine (yum!). =] i don't recall the name, but it was one of the longest name from the spanish wine section; i think i made a fool of myself trying to say the wine ( little did i know that my guest is fluent in spanish!!!). i was really impressed with the crab & mango salad. it was very unique, but good. i'd give it 4 thumbs up (including my companion's) hehehe. =P the other dishes were great; the shrimp and tuna just melted in my mouth; great flavor, texture, and presentation! the homemade sorbetto is amazing!!! i don't even remember the three flavors b/c i was so into my dessert.
Overall, the experience has been one of the better ones that i've had here in nashville. This place isn't a place where you would go w/ a group of friends every friday night; it's a close encounter setting where people can get intimate and really get to know one another. no wonder it has been voted as "the most romantic restaurant" in nashville.
For the price, mediocre at best. Not memorable. Pretentious (read their menu).
Nashville, TN
Category: American (New)
Nashville, TN
Category: Restaurants
Nashville, TN
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Hillsboro/West End
Category: American (Traditional)
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