Zaviya Grill — Restaurant in Austin

*A Delightful Dining Experience Worth Every Bite

I recently had the pleasure of dining at this wonderful restaurant, and I must say—it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I walked in, I was met with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that immediately made me feel at ease. The ambiance is perfectly balanced, with tasteful decor, soft lighting, and a relaxed vibe that makes it an ideal spot for both casual dinners and special occasions.

But what truly elevated my dining experience was the impeccable service provided by two incredible staff members—Trisha and Simmi.

From the very beginning, Trisha greeted us with a genuine smile and a calm, professional demeanor. She was incredibly attentive without being intrusive and demonstrated a deep knowledge of the menu, offering helpful suggestions based on our preferences. Her timing was perfect throughout the evening—checking in just enough to make sure we were enjoying ourselves, yet allowing us space to savor the moment. It’s clear that Trisha is not only well-mannered but also highly experienced in hospitality, and her presence made our evening all the more enjoyable.

Simmi, who assisted during our meal, was equally impressive. Her grace and efficiency stood out as she moved effortlessly between tables, ensuring everything ran smoothly. What I appreciated most was her keen attention to detail—she noticed when our drinks were running low and offered timely refills, and she handled every request with poise and professionalism. Simmi’s calm and collected nature added an extra layer of comfort to the dining experience, and her expertise clearly showed in how she anticipated guests’ needs before we even asked.

As for the food—simply outstanding. Every dish we ordered was flavorful, beautifully presented, and clearly made with care. The ingredients tasted fresh, the portions were generous, and the flavors were both comforting and unique. From the starters to the main course and finally dessert, each plate was a testament to the kitchen’s dedication to quality.

In short, this was one of the most enjoyable dinners I’ve had in a long time. The delicious food alone would have brought me back—but it’s the exceptional service from Trisha and Simmi that truly sets this restaurant apart. Their professionalism, experience, and warm personalities make them absolute gems and a credit to the establishment.

If you’re looking for not just a meal but a full, memorable dining experience, this place is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be returning—and next time, I’ll be asking for Trisha and...

I pity the Austin community for having THIS PLACE as one of their only desi food options. Coming from Houston, I didn’t expect anything stellar, but this was extremely disappointing.

Truly the worst customer experience I have ever had. The entrance was not accessible for wheelchairs due to construction materials laid haphazardly on the floor. After being seated, we were given a salad, which tasted old, as if it had been laid out for hours. The cucumbers tasted horrendously stale and were clear, indicating they’d been out for quite a while. When we communicated this to the waitress (who was an entire issue on her own), she smirked and told another waitress to ask the kitchen for fresh cucumbers. Another waitress brought back the same salad, and when we asked our original waitress (nose piercing, desi) what happened with the fresh veggies, she THEN - after 20 minutes - chose to inform us that a fresh salad would have to be a paid item, even though the first salad was given as a palate cleanser on the house.

As she was taking our order, the same waitress demonstrated incompetence and a lack of knowledge about the dishes. She was unable to provide descriptions when asked about the dishes on the menu. We asked what their shrimp masala was like, and all this woman could say was “…masala”. Like ?????

Additionally, I saw this same waitress take another table the wrong order. Girl… you have one job. Come on now.

When we attempted to place our order, she told us that multiple items were unavailable for dine in. Well, why put them on the dine in menu then? This waitress- not name dropping, but she was the only desi waitress there - had an awful and unprofessional attitude. She did not appear to adequately communicate with us or her fellow coworkers. She also smirked at us as we walked out the door. It’s crazy when you can tell what someone is like from just a couple of interactions. The manager should consider giving her some type of training. I would not want her to be a representative of any type of establishment.

They also did not give us the right items for the appetizers we ordered. Samosa chaat was literally channe with smidgens of samosa. What a joke!

Due to the horrendous service we received, my family and I chose to leave. I will not be coming back here and will be ensuring I encourage anyone who is visiting/lives in Austin to not give their service to this place. Hope the waitress especially gets her...

Avoid hiring Zaviya to cater your wedding or any significant event!

We initially contacted Zaviya on September 13, 2021, via their website, inquiring about catering for our wedding in the Austin area in May 2022. Since we're not from Austin and unfamiliar with local Pakistani restaurants, we were eager to explore their services. However, after receiving no response to our online message, I followed up by phone and scheduled a meeting to discuss the details.

At first, our experience with Kashif from Zaviya was promising. In January 2022, we met, sampled their food, and discussed the menu, pricing, timeline, and guest count. Kashif assured us he would provide a detailed quote, including staffing for the event. Unfortunately, that was the last time we heard from him. Despite multiple follow-ups via text and phone, Kashif ignored our messages and calls without explanation. He never informed us they couldn't cater the wedding or gave any reason for the silence.

Being out of town, we couldn’t drop by their location to seek clarity. Eventually, we took their lack of response as a sign they weren’t interested in our business and found a fantastic alternative—a Houston-based restaurant willing to travel, which turned out to be an excellent choice.

Then, in April 2022, just a month before the wedding, Zaviya finally responded to our initial online inquiry from September 2021. They asked if we had spoken with their catering manager. When I shared our experience, they explained that the manager had been “unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances.” While I understand emergencies happen, the complete lack of communication and urgency was unacceptable. Planning a wedding is stressful enough without being ghosted by vendors.

Overall, we were deeply disappointed by Zaviya and Kashif's unprofessionalism. Their poor communication and lack of accountability mean they will never earn my...