Živio — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

The restaurant was nice and clean and we immediately thought the bar looked really nice with the tile and wood. There was a good ambience and vibe as we walked in. It was very dark but that was partially due to the weather conditions We sat by the windows and found it was very loud with 75% capacity filled and it did make hearing more difficult. The server was really nice but she was a bit long on the return as we were deciding. Otherwise quick on coming around and not over bearing on checking back in.

For the food: it was good, my 1 star loss is due to the GF options. As my wife's tastes play a part in my enjoyment it knocked it down. If you're looking for a donner or gyro replacement and you are GF then I'd suggest avoiding the disappointment that is the GF wrap. It was not flavorfull or fluffy. More akin to an over cooked flour tortilla. At $5, it feels like a let down for the above average cost of a GF alternative. My wife found the meat (lamb and beef) for fiery feta gyro to be somewhat grainy. The falafal was solid and some of the better I've hand but a let down alternative to fries definitely. As for my cheesecake and can't stop fries. They were delicious, great flavor in the meat (lamb and beef) with a great amount of sauce for additional flavor. The tzatziki was great. I think I'd ask for additional veggies for variety next time. It was positively filled with meat and sauteed veggies but something fresh would go a long way for this sandwich. I would recommend the kitchen get a good cracker or some other GF alternative to go with the dips or food. Do some crostini or something using wealthy streets GF bread options.

I cannot offer a full option on the Turkish coffee as it was my first try of the experience. I did feel let down but what I found to be a lack in flavor. But I'm not an avid drinker and it seemed to be a fairly light roast.

Tldr: good vibes, a bit loud, reliable service and friendly. will be going again to try the other items on the menu that my wife cannot have. GF pita not worth it but other options on the menu are generally GF with minor...

Went out for dinner with some friends here, the atmosphere is great I love the dim lighting and the service was absolutely spectacular. The food was all right I'd give it 3.5-4 stars if it was just for flavor but the price is a bit excessive especially for the quantity of food. The chicken in the gyro was a bit dry but it was pretty good, the fries were great I just wish there were more of them. I also would, next time, want to get it with the pita instead of the strange bun bread that it comes with.

The reason, though, that I am writing this review is because of the baklava, I grew up eating Mediterranean food either homemade or from restaurants and I can confidently say that this is the worst baklava I have had, a solid 0-1 star review for that alone. I am sure that this review would be better if not for the fact that it was completely drenched in honey, I love honey just as much as the next person but this was just absurd. I might have been a little bit more lenient on it if not for the price, that baklava was genuinely a waste of $10.50, I couldn't even finish the 2 small pieces that were there. I have chosen to omit my views on the baklava from the star total of this review because it felt unfair to include such a drastic outlier.

All in all I would recommend this restaurant for a night out as long as you Absolutely Do Not Get...

When we travel, our go-tos are usually sushi, tacos, and a European dish. This time, after grabbing some coffee, we made a last-minute decision to try Zivio based on the good reviews, and it was a fantastic choice. We had spent the day on the disc golf course and were excited to pig out. We ordered a variety of takeout, starting with the Za'atar Chicken Skewers. They were unbelievably tasty, and I loved that they used chicken thighs, especially for skewers. The mint chutney on the side was a delightful surprise—so good that I googled the recipe to make it at home.

We also got the Sexy Fries and the Vegetarian Platter. Everything on the vegetarian platter was super fresh and delicious. The falafels were different from what I expected but in a good way, made with fresh ingredients that truly nourish the body.

The Lamb Dip Sandwich was phenomenal. We devoured it, enjoying every dip. This is my first year experimenting with lamb due to its nutritional benefits, and I liked that the flavor was mild and not overly gamey or sour.

Everything we had was fresh and flavorful, including the pitas, which were amazing. I even used the leftover pita to dip in the au jus from the lamb dip. I only wish I lived closer so I could enjoy...