Zeezenia International Market — Attraction in Gainesville

We visited Gainesville for a couple of days and we searched for an Egyptian restaurant and we were lucky finding this place, actually we were more lucky meeting the family running it. I am not sure if I am allowed to share this experience but I feel everyone should know about it as it reflects how beautiful and generous this family is. We entered the restaurant looking at the menu, it had nice variety but it didn’t have what we were craving for. We were craving for a very authentic Egyptian food that you wouldn’t find except if you have an Egyptian kitchen at home.

That was our first impression of this sweet family when we hesitatingly asked if they could make us special Egyptian food and their response took us thousands of miles back home reminding us with the kindness and generosity of Egyptians that hugs you with that warm hearted feelings you wouldn’t feel except with very close family members. They offered us Egyptian dishes way more than what we even imagined is possible to have. They took us back home with their generosity first and the great taste of the food they prepared for us. A tasty traditional authentic Egyptian breakfast and a very special Egyptian lunch that been years we didn’t have.

I have no words can express how grateful and lucky knowing this great family. Thank you very much for Everything.

I recommend them if you want to have a homemade quality healthy food from a great sweet...

Hands down the best restaurant/shop in Gainesville. The food is made to order with fresh ingredients, the home made touch makes for an impressive, low cost, healthy alternative lunch than any place in the area. And the home made hummus is simply a taste of heaven.

The shop is filled with Middle Eastern/Persian/Egyptian/Indian (and more) foods and spices that cannot be found anywhere else in the area. Students I know from out of town find this to be a welcome place to find foods from home.

Location is just south of the University/hospitals on 13th St. so its very convenient to get to any time of day.

And as far as the service - Outstanding is putting it mildly. Everyone smiles and greets you as if you are an old friend, making just walking in for a container of home made hummus alone a great, friendly experience, that again, just is not found in the area.

If you haven't been here and are in the area, just go to look around and I am willing to bet you will not just walk out feeling good, but also feeling that there is no question that you are a...

What an amazing gem! My friend and I were traveling back to Atlanta from a trip to St. Petersburg and discovered this place. We're so sad we don't live closer to it! It's a market with a restaurant area in the back, so it wouldn't normally had jumped out at us, but the raving reviews that other people left drew us to it.

I'm a vegetarian and this is hands down some of the best falafel I've ever had! It was so flavorful and fresh. My friend ordered the lamb and rice and was delighted by the taste and generous portion. We were told the lamb was grass fed and all natural from their local farm.

In addition to our meal, we got some yummy soft drinks that I've never had before. I got the "Gazoz Olma Efsan Ol" which reminded me of Orangina - it's a carbonated orange flavored beverage.

While our food was being freshly prepared, we shopped around and found lots of tasty treasures: many varieties of Turkish Delight, pistachio cotton candy, canned grape leaves, fresh cheeses, dates, halva, and baclava, to name a few. I can't wait to get home and enjoy...