30 Photos
ZipPicks Awards
Best Middle Eastern in Culver City
Best Greek in Culver City
Best Mediterranean in Culver City
Master Critic Review
Zaytinya
8.1
José Andrés Group brings Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese mezze to Culver City with polished service inside The Shay hotel. Wood-fired preparations and traditional spreads deliver solid Mediterranean flavors, though dishes can lean mild and require sauce support despite bold ingredient lists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-Fired Lamb Shoulder, Mezze Spreads, Whole Grilled Fish
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: José Andrés Group pedigree with DC import bringing elevated Eastern Mediterranean
Who should go: Hotel guests, business diners, celebration dinners seeking upscale mezze
When to visit: Dinner reservations recommended, hotel guests for convenience
What to order: Mezze spreads with endless pita, wood-fired lamb, cocktails
Insider tip: Mezze portions are small for the price
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet available at The Shay hotel ($15), limited street parking on Washington Blvd - arrive 10 min early
Dress code: Business casual to dressy - hotel setting elevates expectations, jeans ok if paired with blazer or nice top
Noise level: Moderate to lively - high ceilings amplify crowd buzz, expect to lean in slightly during peak dinner
Weekend wait: Reservations essential - walk-ins quoted 60-90 min, bar seating sometimes available
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, 10-15 min max without reservation
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - mezze-forward menu means 60% vegetarian including hummus varieties, falafel, grilled vegetables
Vegan options: Good options - most mezze can be made vegan, staff knowledgeable about modifications, skip the yogurt-based dips
Gluten-free options: Limited but doable - rice-based dishes available, but endless pita is the star here so experience diminishes
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially early dates where you want to impress - sophisticated atmosphere without pretension, mezze-style dining creates natural conversation moments over sharing plates, though pricey for casual courtship
Can I get a table without a reservation? Tough on weekends - try bar seating or arrive right at 5pm opening. Weekday lunches and early weeknight dinners (before 6:30pm) have better walk-in odds. Hotel guests get priority.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for well-behaved kids 8+ at lunch or early dinner - mezze format works for picky eaters, but upscale hotel vibe and price point don't reward chaos. No kids' menu, expect $15-20 minimum per child.
How does it compare to José Andrés' other restaurants? More polished than Jaleo but less adventurous than Minibar - solid execution of greatest hits rather than boundary-pushing. DC transplant energy translated well to LA hotel setting.
Is the endless pita actually endless? Yes, and it's the MVP - hot, pillowy, and unlimited with mezze orders. Server brings fresh rounds throughout meal. Pro tip: pace yourself or you'll fill up before mains arrive.
Best For
Better for: Polished Mediterranean experience with name-brand reliability - beats neighborhood Greek spots on service and cocktails, ideal when you need something that feels special without boutique restaurant quirks. Hotel location means consistent execution.
Skip if: You want bold, punchy flavors - dishes lean mild despite ingredient lists and need sauce support. Also skip if budget-conscious ($$$$), seeking hidden gem cred, or avoiding hotel restaurant energy. Bavel delivers more flavor complexity at similar price point.
Hours
Monday5pm - 9pm
Tuesday5pm - 9pm
Wednesday5pm - 9pm
Thursday5pm - 9pm
Friday5pm - 10pm
Saturday5pm - 10pm
Sunday5pm - 9pm