Z Café & Bar offers unpretentious contemporary American Bistro fare using the freshest, locally grown meats and produce around the Bay Area. The menu changes seasonally to provide flavors at their peak.

The bar features exciting new alternatives with house cocktails infused with fruits and fresh-squeezed juices. Z Cafe & Bar carries over 100 vodka selection and offer a variety of hand shaken specialty martinis.

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44 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.6 / 5

(44 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 44 reviews

5 stars

(5)

4 stars

(23)

3 stars

(11)

2 stars

(5)

1 star

(0)

Food

(Very Good) 3.5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

neighborhood gem(18)
good for groups(13)
vibrant bar scene(10)

fit for foodies(9)
great for lunch(9)
great for outdoor dining(6)

Z Cafe & Bar Reviews List

Review 1 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Good food and drinks

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/15/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Met up here with a friend. Made happy hour and got a great cocktail at a very reasonable price. The food was all very good as well and our server was a lot of fun and friendly."

Dined on 5/15/2013

Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem

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Review 2 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

noise level was very loud

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/27/2013

2005

Dined on 04/27/2013

2005

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

"noise level was very loud - food was so so. Waitress was overworked - only one serving the restaurant. I would not go back"

Dined on 04/27/2013

2005

Special Features: vibrant bar scene

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Review 3 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

A nice birthday lunch

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/18/2013

2008

Dined on 04/18/2013

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We took my boss out to a belated birthday lunch. We were a party of 5. Everyone was happy with the ambiance and were pleased with their menu choices. I've been here several times. Our server was very pleasant and very attentive."

Dined on 04/18/2013

2008

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Review 4 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The burger was good, but the

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/12/2013

2005

Dined on 04/12/2013

2005

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"The burger was good, but the Berry-Lemon bread pudding was the best! We have been back just for that and the service is super friendly. We will be back"

Dined on 04/12/2013

2005

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Review 5 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Good food, good service, good time

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2013

2008

Dined on 04/06/2013

2008

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Due to it's convient location, I invited three friends to an early dinner at Z Cafe for a casual meal and drinks to celebrate our 21 years of friendship. We enjoyed everything (the crabcakes & the Cabernet sorbet were standouts). There was very attentive service through most of our evening. Maybe due to a bar mitzvah in their space across the street, or just not having enough staff working, the end of our evening was a bit frustrating as far as having our coffee & dessert. Our waitress was overwhelmed with serving other tables as well as hosting and seating incoming diners (not her fault & we did tip her over 20%!)."

Dined on 04/06/2013

2008

Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch

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Review 6 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

First time there. Interesting

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/21/2013

2008

Dined on 03/21/2013

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"First time there. Interesting takes on some fairly standard items like Mac and Cheese and Eggplant Parmigiana. Service was exceptional. Had a waitress who was friendly, cheerful and very attentive without hovering. Knew when to make suggestions."

Dined on 03/21/2013

2008

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 7 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

OpenTable Diner

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

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Review 8 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

another mediocre burger

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/06/2013

2012

Dined on 03/06/2013

2012

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Our waitress was very attentive and .pleasant, although there was only one other table of diners to serve. We tried this restaurant because we are in search of great burgers in the area. Alas, this is not the answer. As .seems to be the case in all CA restaurants, the beef was tasteless and not very juicy. The garlic fries, on the side, were dried out, barely warm and seemed to have been doused with a spoonful of raw chopped garlic."

Dined on 03/06/2013

2012

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Review 9 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

This restaurant's staff and

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/26/2013

2013

Dined on 02/26/2013

2013

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"This restaurant's staff and owner is extremely considerate and friendly with the patrons. The restaurant is very picturesque as it has retained most of the "old world" decor of the previous tenant, that is, the car dealership once owned by the owner of the race horse, Seabiscuit. The menu is varied and fairly priced. I enjoyed by evening meal at the bar."

Dined on 02/26/2013

2013

Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Review 10 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Food & service were excellent.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/20/2013

2010

Dined on 02/20/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Food & service were excellent. Will definitely go back."

Dined on 02/20/2013

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Review 11 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Went here on a Tuesday night

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/19/2013

2010

Dined on 02/19/2013

2010

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Went here on a Tuesday night and it was not too busy. Service was great, friendly and prompt. Unfortunately meals were not very good. I got the fish but it was soggy and bland, side veggies were same. My husband got the porkchop and it was thin and overcooked. My daughter got the lobster ravioli and it was good, recommend that one."

Dined on 02/19/2013

2010

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Review 12 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

We have dined here for about

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2013

Dined on 02/14/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We have dined here for about 6 years. Originally dined at it's previous location on Powell Street in Emeryville about 20 years ago before they moved to present location. Architecture of building outstanding; food & service & ambiance top drawer while prices remain very reasonable.

Do your 2 for 1 Specials on a monthly basis and you will eventually double your cliental."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2013

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly

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Review 13 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Very nice neighborhood spot

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/05/2013

2002

Dined on 02/05/2013

2002

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"food very good but not exceptional this night. A couple of service glitches, but quickly corrected. Crab cakes and Z-ribs (smoked St.Louis ribs) were excellent starters. Cocktail list is fantastic including almost 40 kinds of martinis. Wine list is also very good. Nice decor in an old automobile dealership with high ceilings and not too noisy. There is also an outside dining area. We'll be back."

Dined on 02/05/2013

2002

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch

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Review 14 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Not as good as in the past.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/05/2013

2009

Dined on 02/05/2013

2009

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Not as good as in the past. Maybe just an "off" night."

Dined on 02/05/2013

2009

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem

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Review 15 for Z Cafe & Bar

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

WOW, this was my first visit,

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/31/2013

2008

Dined on 01/31/2013

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"WOW, this was my first visit, and wont be my last! Amazing food and service!!! Our server made excellent recommendations for us and really took time to understand our likes and dislikes. Every bite of the pork chop and eggplant was delicious. We arrived just in time for happy hour and the cocktails were great, not a sorry watered down version that some bars serve at happy hour. Outstanding, I highly recommend it!"

Dined on 01/31/2013

2008

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion

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Ratings-Only Reviews for Z Cafe & Bar

Based on the average of (29) ratings-only reviews

Overall