Zaytoon Mediterranean — Restaurant in West Hartford

I'm so happy to write this review about Zaytoon's Mediterranean Kitchen where I and 2 companions dined last evening. Immediately upon entering the restaurant we noticed how clean and inviting the dining room is , as well as the warm aroma of delicious food wafting throughout. While being seated we were treated to a sneak preview of what we were in store for, eying the bountiful plates of gorgeous food already present on other patron's tables. Owner Omar welcomed us as if were family, remaining just as friendly and helpful throughout our meal. You could see in his face how much he enjoyed feeding the patrons of his restaurant We began with appetizers: Falafal (crispy on the outside, smooth inside- the best we've ever had), Tahini Cauliflower, seriously delicious, drenched in lemon and tahini), and the Hummus with Vegetables plate but with the Spicy Hummus substituted ( truly awesome, with fresh crispy sliced vegetables). I'm a great fan of hummus , and that spicy hummus made me so happy- just the right consistency and blend of spiciness for the perfect "kick!" Our dinners were simply wonderful, but I don't mean they were simple by any means. The Lamb Gyro Platter, the Jordanian Mansef, and the Lamb Haneeth were all exquisitely flavored with a complex array of fragrant herbs and spices, all delightfully complimented by a generous portion of seasoned rice. The lamb shank on the Mansef and the Haneeth comes seductively juicy and tender, nearly falling off the bone- each with a different enticing sauce to enjoy. The Gyro platter comes with the regular hummus, which (did I mention how much I love hummus?) is very good also. These dishes were perfect examples of the beauty of Mediterranean cuisine. As if we 3 weren't pleased enough with our meals, we finished it off with an order of Cheese Knafeh, an utterly astounding desert of shredded filo dough and a sweet cheese filling, topped with a flavored simple syrup- a totally heavenly way to end our dining experience. There is absolutely no doubt that chef Chip Cutting LOVES his work. His dedication to producing very high quality food is evident in the dishes he produces here. Owners Omar and Zainab Hayajneh are friendly and are similarly very proud of their restaurant. They seem to truly enjoy running it. My co-diners and I can't wait to return to Zaytoon's Mediterranean Kitchen to try some of the other tasty offerings on the menu. We wish them all the luck in the world for...

Hosting a 3-day conference with attendees from across the USA meant finding the perfect caterer to provide a diverse and memorable lunch—and Zaytoon’s Mediterranean exceeded every expectation! From the moment I reached out, the experience was exceptional. Among all the Middle Eastern restaurants I contacted, Zaytoon’s was the only one that truly took the time to work with me on my order.

The owner was incredibly accommodating, inviting me to the restaurant to discuss the menu, costs, and dietary restrictions. When I arrived, I was immediately charmed by the restaurant's warm and inviting atmosphere. The decor, with its leafy ceiling beams, creates a cozy and enchanting vibe, and the waitstaff were nothing short of friendly and courteous.

During our meeting, the owner went above and beyond, offering samples of their cuisine to ensure everything would meet our needs. The food was absolutely divine! Together, we crafted a menu that was both inclusive and delicious, featuring lamb gyros, chicken kebabs, falafel, rice, grilled vegetables, pita bread, and hummus.

On the day of the event, Zaytoon’s delivered in every sense of the word—literally! Despite inclement weather and a last-minute venue change, the food arrived on time, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. The 55 conference attendees couldn’t stop raving about how delicious the meal was—it truly brought people together and elevated the event.

For anyone looking to cater a business event or social gathering, I cannot recommend Zaytoon’s Mediterranean highly enough. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and unmatched culinary expertise make them stand out. Personally, I’m still dreaming about their hummus dip—it’s so good, I wish it was stocked in my local...

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR VEGETARIANS ! NOT RECOMMENDED FOR GROUPS LARGER THAN 5 PPL !

We had the strangest experience in this place! We were a group of 11 adults and 3 kids. Once we were ready to order, the owner came and informed us that he will not be able to take individual orders from such a large group..Instead he will serve us according to his choice and we are gonna love it.. We tried reasoning with him that 9 of the adults were vegetarians and that we would not be able to place a variety of orders anyways considering there were limited choices for vegetarians in the menu. But for some strange reason, he was unable to understand that. He was adamant about bringing food only according to his choice. NONE OF US WERE ALLOWED TO PLACE ANY ORDER FROM THE MENU. It was cold outside, we had kids and we were already seated. Therefore we didn't want to abruptly leave the place. We just sat and waited for the amazing food he promised to serve. Result :- Everyone had falafel, pita bread and dips, salad for appetizers. And he served only 2 vegetable curry bowls with rice, 1 chicken kebab plate for entree to the entire table.

IT WAS A TOTAL NIGHTMARE!! WE REALIZED THAT OUR NIGHT WAS RUINED!!

Note to owner :-

1. Please donot take reservations if you are not capable of handing a big group. It is just cruel to ruin people's mood on a fri eve just because you are incompetent.
2. Try to just listen to your customers for once. People don't come to your restaurant to eat the food of your choice. You can provide recommendations if requested.
3. Try to learn the definition of 'VEGETARIAN' food. Might come handy...