Zhug

Ambiance was very relaxing and laidback. Love the warm lighting that set for a chill or even romantic vibe. Great place to come grab dinner and relax with friends or celebrate after an event. Decor makes the place cozy and comfy. Service was attentive but not overbearing which we loved. Our server was so thoughtful in giving advice on how to pair or eat specific dishes best. Food came out immediately when each were done one by one. It was also hot because of that, which made it taste even better. Food was absolutely phenomenal. Even though it's a tapas restaurant, we all left full and completely satisfied with both taste and service. Curried lamb hummus was one of the best hummus I've ever had and I will definitely be ordering that again and taking my friends who visit from out of town! I absolutely loved the smoked octopus... my favorite! Soft and tender, yet you can taste the Smokey flavor and the dish paired so well with the warm pita bread! I'm already drooling just thinking about how it tasted omg. Highly recommend giving this place a try if you like Mediterranean food and creative dishes!

Was so excited to try this place after eating at Amba but felt Zhug fell short of our expectations. While the service and ambiance of zhug is the same as Amba the food wasn't as good, except for the hummus, which was the best part of the whole meal and was phenomenal. Everything else, eh. The Brussels sprouts were all mushy and after two we get bored and beyond that we felt kind of sick of the taste. The crispy chicken wasn't very crispy and overall bland. The best thing about the chicken was the pickled veggies it came with. The kofte came out pretty late into our meal and by the time it did come out we weren't as enthused but it wasn't bad. Seasoned well and just with it came out earlier/with the rest of our food. If you're debating between trying zhug or Amba, just go to Amba.

Zhug had been in my list of restaurants I've been wanting to try and I'm so glad we went! It was a group of 8 and we kinda just ordered and shared our food as it was small plate style. My bf and I ordered the muhamura, lamb and falafels. The Muhamura was delicious with the bread that came with the table and the falafel was so crunchy and good! The lamb was my favorite as it didn't taste gamey at all and the fried sweet potatoes added an extra touch! The service was great for the most part but we had to ask for bread like 5-6 times because they would only bring one pita bread every time we asked.

We came on a Monday evening (holiday) and were seated right away. The atmosphere is trendy but warm and inviting. The food was all very flavorful and unique. The server told us that all plates are typically shared and recommended about 2 plates per person, but we ordered 7 plates for 4 people and thought that was more than enough. Our favorites were the curried lamb and apricot hummus and the brussel sprouts. Definitely would recommend!

This is one of my new fave restaurants in Cle! They serve super yummy Mediterranean small plates best shared family style. Obsessed with their octopus, honey roasted beets, and muhammara! They don't take reservations so would recommend getting there early. Free parking lot across the street behind the Firestone.

8/27/24 This was definitely a culinary journey to savor. Everything was just better with each plate. My first visit to Zhug was a memorable one, especially with family visiting from out of town. We decided to explore the menu by ordering a variety of shareable plates, and every dish exceeded our expectations.We indulged in a diverse selection that included hummus lamb, kofta, smoked octopus, pickles, crispy chicken, labneh, braised lamb, olives, hummus harissa peanut, cod cakes, Za'atar roasted carrots, and mejadra. Each dish was crafted with care, bursting with unique flavors that beautifully complemented each other. The hummus lamb was creamy and rich, while the smoked octopus had a perfect char, offering a delightful smokiness. The Za'atar roasted carrots and mejadra provided an earthy, aromatic contrast to the bolder dishes. The cocktails were also a highlight, with a wide range of options that paired perfectly with the food.The ambiance at Zhug was another standout feature. The interior was warm and inviting, creating a relaxed atmosphere that made our dining experience even more enjoyable. Our waitress, Katie, was incredibly attentive, ensuring that our table was well taken care of throughout the meal.Overall, Zhug delivered a phenomenal dining experience, from the delicious, well-crafted dishes to the pleasant ambiance and top-notch service. It's a place I'd highly recommend to anyone looking for a unique and flavorful dining experience.

I've been super excited to try Zhug and although this experience didn't hit it out of the park for me, I'm excited to return. I stopped in alone on a Friday night after a show nearby. It was about 10 pm and they closed at 11 and I saw that the kitchen was starting to clean up. I sat at the bar and was immediately greeted by a friendly bartender. I asked a few questions about non-alcoholic wines and mocktails and she assured me that if I didn't want either of the two mocktail options they had listed, she could whip me up something good. I ended up choosing one that had a gin alternative and af chardonnay. It was tasty and refreshing, but served in a super small glass and with lots of ice, so I finished it pretty quickly.The menu is all small plates, great for getting a lot of different things to share with others. Since it was just me, I decided to get two things, the roasted carrots and the braised lamb. They both pretty much came out at the same time, which was fine. The lamb was delicious. It was super tender and I could taste the saffron flavor. The sauce from the lamb had a sweet date flavor that was amazing. They give you warm pita bread with this dish and I basically soaked every bit of meat dripping up with my bread! It also came on a bed of ricotta, which was cooling I guess and some crispy sweet potato chips. The chips were light and added a good crunch to the dish, but they weren't seasoned at all. Some type of Zatar seasoning on then could have been cool. I was very excited for the roasted carrots but they were only okay. Again, they lacked seasoning and were kind of over roasted making them a little dry. Salt could have gone a long way here. I did really enjoy the honey and the walnut crumbles that were on top and then the whipped feta on the bottom. Both dishes were a good size for the price and since I wasn't super hungry, I took the rest home. While I wasn't necessarily wowed by anything, I do recognize that towards the end of the night, you might not get the best of the best. The service was good and quick and the ambiance is beautiful. Perfect for a date night or nice family dinner. There was good music playing which definitely created a vibe. I'm looking forward to returning with friends at a later date and trying more dishes.

Zhug is a hidden gem perfect for an intimate date night. This cozy spot, with its warm decor and inviting atmosphere, immediately sets the mood for a memorable evening.I recently visited Zhug with my boyfriend, and it was an unforgettable experience. We were welcomed with friendly smiles and excellent service. The ambiance, with its dim lighting and soft music, created a romantic setting that felt like our own little retreat.We started with the falafel, which was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The star of the night was the curried lamb hummus - rich, flavorful, and utterly delicious. The crispy chicken rounded out our meal perfectly, each bite offering a burst of flavor that left us wanting more.The shared experience of trying these delightful dishes together made the evening special. For dessert, we indulged in the tahini ice cream, a sweet and satisfying end to a perfect date night.

I have been waiting to try zhug for years and so happy I finally got a chance. COME EARLY! They don't do reservations and we came around 530PM Saturday for two and it was only a 20 min wait which was impressive for the crowd that was already eating there. The staff was so friendly and food arrived very quick.Must have is the PEANUT HUMMUS! I could come back and only eat plates and plates of this. The creamy smooth hummus with the crunchy peanuts was a palate bomb. FYI extra pita is free, just ask for more!The smoked octopus was tasty and not chewy, the carrots had a good flavor but a little soft for my taste, and the crispy chicken hot honey sauce was so tasty but I do wish the chicken was crispier.I was shocked by the bill because 4 tapa like dishes for two was plenty of food but the bill was approximately the price of two nice entrees. Can't wait to come back!

The chef may be James Beard nominated but the service sure as heck wouldn't be. We arrived at 4:30 when the restaurant was empty and were seated promptly for a special birthday dinner. We had been very excited to try Zhug but our experience was a huge disappointment. As soon as we didn't order a cocktail, the quality of service and demeanor of our sever declined and only got worse as the meal went on. Despite ordering 5 dishes, we felt consistently rushed as we tried to enjoy our meal, with our server at one point grabbing a plate off the table as soon as my partner picked up her piece of bread. It was obvious to anyone who's worked in the industry that our server was more interested in turning our table, rushing us though our birthday meal, and jacking up their tips for the night than providing quality service. We were there less than an hour before our sever not so passive aggressively asked if we were done with our meal yet. The food was fine, the burnt onion hummus, and leeks and feta being the standout dishes of the evening, but for a place that specializes in "small plates" I expected each dish to be a flavor bomb and found the Kofta especially lacking. Save your money if you want a special night out in Cleveland and go to Cordelia instead. Better bang for your buck and the severs actually want you to enjoy your meal.