Zest Cafe & Home Art

This place was a huge dissapointment. My friends and I went there to eat on Saturday. Two of us were white and we were with an Indian family. When our turn came to be seated after 45min of waiting the manager refused to put two tables together in the middle of the shop. I said so you are going to sit people behind us first! He said yep! So my friends waited I refused to give him any business. My friend then noticed after the manager thought we left, he sat a nice white family together putting the same tables together he told us he couldn't do. My friend confronted him and said you will put the tables together for them and not us? He said yep! So my friend said im leaving, the manager said see ya! \r This makes me very sad that we still have this much prejudice still blatenly around. My friend has two children with him, they had to be made to feel not as good as the white people. I feel they should not still be allowed to be in business with this type of treatment of people. A very very prejuduce resturant!! I would never give them any business I'm spreading the word. I have a huge friend group with my organizations i belong to, they will be boycotting as well. \r Please don't encourage them by supporting their business! more

I went to this shopping strip for a long time and never really noticed or paid attention to Zest. One day a friend took me and I was hooked. You enter into a crafty, trendy type store selling home decor and toys, purses, just to name a few. Everything is very unique. Once past the store, is a small comfy tea room type diningroom. The menu is short but everything is absolutely fresh and delicious tasting. more

My girlfriend and I have eaten here several times, and both of us have always enjoyed everything we have had. Soups, salads, entree's, and sandwiches are all on the healthy side, yet they are always very flavorful. While the ambiance is minimal, the service has always been good, and the prices are reasonable. If you get chance, stop by and check Zest out, you wont be disappointed! Pros: Excellent food, good service. more

I really enjoyed the variety of the menu. Everything from pizza to lasagna to bbq chicken. But each was unique in its own way. I had one of the pizzas which included chicken and apples--among other toppings. It came with a salad. My date had the bbq chicken which was a huge piece of chicken, with colesaw, watermelon, and corn on the cob. (Make sure you ask for bread, which is delicious, as they don't often bring it if you don't ask.) Both of us really liked the meal and had enough to bring home for lunch. We ate outside, partially because of the weather and partially for the weird aroma of the store/restaurant. I recommend this place and hope to come back some time. Pros: Good food Cons: Smell of restaurant more

This is a cozy & friendly place with a menu that meets the needs of both the traditionalists & adventurous diner. It's not a fancy restaurant, but one where anyone should feel comfortable & treated like family. It's hard to pick a favorite menu item, but pizzas & salads are always excellent & creatively presented. I usually end up buying some items from the shop, too. My favorite go-to casual place in N. Raleigh! Pros: Interesting Food; always tasty; casual neighborly ambience more

Zest has been a favorite of mine for years. First of all, the reviews here are all over the place regarding the quality of service. I have had excellent service and mediocre service here; it really depends on the waitstaff working that particular nice. However, they have always been very acommodating with kids - we have a 5 year old and a 3 year old, and it has never been a problem at all briging them to eat at Zest. The only thing to worry about with children is the store - there are plenty of breakable vases, picture frames, etc., so your kids can't run around or anything. The entrees on the menu change periodically and tend to be hit-or-miss, but the salads are always fresh - I always get salad, and it's always fantastic - and definitely leave room for dessert (especially the chocolate peanut butter pie). The atmosphere is also charming, and the arrangement changes frequently as new items come into the store. Pros: ambience, store, desserts Cons: limited seating more

Every time I have been to Zest, the food has been fantastic. I've taken friends there and they loved the food too. The menu changes regularly, so there is usually something new to try. The hours are a bit strange, so be sure to check before you go. The only time I've been disappointed is when I arrived and found them closed. It can get crowded at lunch, so be prepared to wait a bit, or go early (before 11:30). Pros: Fresh, good variety Cons: limited seating more

We went to Zest for my birthday and the service was excellent and the food was delicious. I had the salmon salad and the quesadilla. I actually shared both & the waitress had split them so we each got a plate with half of both. My daughter had a pizza and she loved it. Service was attentive but not bothersome. Pros: healthy fare, pretty atmosphere, fresh tasting food more

Zest Cafe and Home Art carries the most unique and divine gifts! When I have to get something special for my extra picky loved ones, I go to Zest. Go hugry, because their food is excellent, too!!! A great spot for ""ladies who lunch""! Their menu changes all the time and so does their store inventory-- i never eat pasta and i had the new cheese ravioli-- it was amazing-- not too much pasta with steamed vegetables all on top!! it's hard to describe- but trust me- it's great! their slaw and chicken salad are famous for good reason!!! brunch is fantastic too!! i get the seasonal fritatta with side salad and the wasabi dressing & then fresh fruit-- i am allergic to preservatives-- and i know i can safely order anything on their menu! Pros: Good Parking, Warm & Friendly Peopl, Great Gift Wrapping! Cons: Closed Mondays more

I've heard good things about Zest but my experience spoke louder than their reputation. Between tolerating loud cell phone talkers and being ignored by waitstaff I had a sesame-oil drenched meal and an empty drink glass. The cafe offered hope of charm and a european-style care-free lunch but sadly fell short. Pros: Location Cons: Rude clientel, Uninspired, Poor food flavor more

I have been doing lunch, brunch, dinner and take-out at Zest for a number of years--I am a regular. I use Zest as my ""personal chef"" 2-3 times a week. The food is healthful and beautifully prepared. The employees in the cafe and store have always been courteous and accommodating for my special requests. It is a place where they know my name. more

My husband and I have eaten here several times over the years and always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. However, we will NEVER go back! Several of the other reviews reference the staff not being willing to accomodate groups, etc. Apparantly this attitude extends to small children as well. Parents- stick with restaurants that you know like and welcome your children. Zest is not one of them! more

The food was fresh and innovative. This place is absolutely refreshing. Sometimes there is a wait, but you can browse the ""Pottery Barn"" like store while you wait. A great chat with the girls spot. Pros: Inexpensive, Light Fare more

Great, health-focused food in a casual yet intimate setting. Menu changes monthly or so. It's a breath of fresh air compared to the dull chain restaurants around! We have always found the wait staff courteous and friendly; in fact, Marvin (the owner and frequent host) always greets us with a smile-- and even treated us to a house warming gift when we came to celebrate our new purchase. Now THAT's what a neighborhood cafe is all about! Pros: healthy, inexpensive, inventive cuisine more

This restaurant is not accommodating of parties larger than 6 people. I was with a group of 6-9 business professionals and the staff refused to seat us. The hostess/waitress said there was not room. At that time, 11:30 a.m. there were only 4 tables being used in the entire restaurant! She was rude and did not try to accommodate our request. She completely ignored the group. We had to leave! more

Recently, some friends and I went to Zest for lunch. The restaurant was less than half full. The hostess was not willing to accomodate us and was most rude. I have never experienced such rudeness before; it was unexcusable. My friends and I will never visit there again. more

Incredible food! Incredible Shopping! And some of the best service in Raleigh! What's not to love about Zest? Nothing. The food is fresh and inventive. It is great to find culinary creativity without a big price tag...and in a casual atmosphere. While you wait, there are delectable treats for the eye in the home art store attached to the cafe. I do all my gift shopping here, as the store alone is a reason to visit Zest. This place is every woman's dream cafe...but my husband loves it too. more

Zest Cafe and Home Art is a hidden treasure in North Raleigh. The terrific food and wonderful service combine to make a delightful dining experience. Shopping in the attached store is fun due to the mix of merchandise. This dining and shopping make for an evening well spent. Pros: Inexpensive, Menu changes often, Good wait staff more

Great restaurant with a wide variety of food. I have been twice for lunch and sat outside in their patio both times. Very enjoyable experience, I will go again ! Pros: good food, outside patio, wide variety Cons: some traffic noise more