Cafe Zoolu

Oh my gosh the 3 of us were looking forward to the swordfish combo and the seabass. Both of our fishes were completely charred (see photo seabass). We told the waiter and he said, «I only work here». Told the owner (nicely) and he shrugged his shoulders & no verbal response. Waste of money!

I love this place so much. five stars for the food taste, quality, and presentation. Also five stars for the service. I wish they were open earlier. I’ve had the macadamia swordfish and their portions are so big you could share the plate with another person. Appetizers are delicious. The calamary and the scallops are my favorite.

After growing up in Laguna and having passed this place countless numbers of times I finally went in for dinner. After reading all the reviews I knew I had to try the swordfish! It was definitely a great choice, but we’ll get back to that in a moment.
We started with the calamari steak as an appetizer after being seated at the bar, which overlooks the open kitchen. That’s the spot to be! The place is small but consistently busy, so make sure you have reservations. The calamari was on point! I was then brought a glass of Chardonnay, which was poured by someone whose hand must have been made of solid lead because it was somewhere between 1 ½– 2 glasses — no complaints, let me assure you!
Finally the swordfish arrived! I got the lemon caper instead of trying the 3 sampler. I got it on the rare side and the inside was definitely rare. I can see how a couple reviews said it was dry because the outside was definitely charred on an open flame. If I hadn’t gotten it rare it might not have been as tender. By this time my second «glass» had arrived — again no complaints! The swordfish isn’t the size of a softball, it’s the size of a small football!
The menu is a bit pricy but considering the great quality seafood, portion size, and wine pours, everything seems reasonable. I could have made 2 meals out of the swordfish, but who really likes reheated fish. So suffice it to say, I walked out with a football sized piece of swordfish in my belly, swimming in an ocean of wine! Fat and very happy!!!

This is hands down one of Orange County’s best kept secrets. This place will fool you on the outside– but what is on the inside is absolute perfection. This is the best seafood place one can find along the coast– where Chef Michael uses his Graces in cooking for everyone in the house with his true passion to not only serve original beautiful seafood but also leaving you with always wanting more. This place is small with a home town feel and they know how to make your experience phenomenal!

I’ve been here twice, so far. All I can say is that the food is amazing. I came here in October for my girlfriends birthday. She loved everything that came out from the kitchen. It was the best food that both of us have had from an American seafood restaurant.
Definitely will be coming back.

A vacation extender = Café Zoolu
Seriously I would stay few extra nights and even fly over just to eat here.
Calamari
Swordfish
Osco Busso
Oh chef you have spoiled me ever so.
Your fan
Lindsay

Fantastic food, experience and people. If you are an experienced eater/​traveler/​adventurer this place is for you.
We had the swordfish and the calamari, unbelievable!
Love this place.

Absolutely the best swordfish I’ve ever had! I ordered the sampler. They make it 3 ways on that dish. Cajun style, macadamia and with capers. I liked the capers one the best but Cajun was good too and had a nice corn salsa on top. The macadamia one was a little too sweet for me.
The restaurant was quaint and cool. It also offered bar style seating like you’d find in a sushi bar where you can watch and even talk to them while they prepare and cook your order.
Great place in Laguna Beach! I would highly recommend.

Very disappointed in this place.
Portions are large (really large) but everything we ordered was lathered in sauce. We love fish and like to eat healthy. This place was recommended because of the fish. There was nothing healthy about it even after scrapping most of the fattening sauces off. Too bad because the fish seemed fresh and of good quality. Didn’t need to be covered up.
We also ordered 2 glasses of wine. It had obviously turned. We each had 2 or 3 sips. Our glasses sat full through the entire meal and the waiter never asked us about it. There were only a few other people in the restaurant so it’s not like he was too busy to check.

Thanks, Chef Mike, you made our trip. before going to your restaurant I was disappointed with the food in Laguna. Your food was amazing. Relocate to Vegas!

We love Mike. We also love Rene, Peter, and the others. We go here to see Mike and oh– to enjoy this heavenly feast. The quality is 5 star, the preparation, diversity and execution/​presentation is served always with a smile and homey delivery. Extremely generous portions like no other restaurant in Laguna or south county that’s for sure. The best cuts.
Sit at the bar for sure and say hello to Mike.

Always so good.
Calamari steak is the best we’ve ever had.
Pork Chop — say yes. My husband who orders seafood every chance he gets, sacrifices for the pork chop. Portions are giant. Come hungry. Very very hungry.
Sit at the counter for a front row view of the food prep and some good conversation with the Chef/​Owner.
I absolutely love that the place is SMALL and LOCAL and not pretentious. No such thing as a mediocre meal here.

Best swordfish, steaks, salads and of course great wine selection!!!
Locals Favorite!!!

Out of this world! A must try when in Laguna Beach! We’ll be back, soon! Michael is an Amazing chef, with a boat load of experience! I’ve never had fish cooked to perfection like that before!

First time here last night and I cannot believe it. WOW. We are still blown away. We had the swordfish three ways and the Chilean sea bass. PERFECT!
My wife who is a major foodie and great cook simply stated that the espresso crème brûlée was the best dessert she has EVER had. Crazy good night.
Thank you!

I hadn’t been to Laguna Beach in 2 years and was so thankful that Café Zoolu was still open. I’ve been to this restaurant every time I visit Laguna for over 8 years.
It’s very hard to find fresh fish like this anywhere. The cuts are thick and generous. I would recommend sharing some of those entrées. We love the sample Halibut because you get to try 3 different (all very good) sauces on top. The best part is running your fork through the thick cut and tasting how moist each bite is.
We love sitting at the small counter and watch the Chef/​owner work his passion!
You can’t help feel like you’re at a family’s home when his wife welcomes you with such kindness.
My experience here made me regret not having come back sooner to Laguna.
Hats off to Café Zoolu!

Café Zoolu is the kind of restaurant that fits Laguna Beach perfectly. It’s small but cool, laid back and features some of the best fish and seafood in town. The portions are very large so come hungry or be prepared to take something home. We started with the calamari which was fantastic and split a blackened swordfish for the main. There is a ($ 7) fee for split meals, but it’s is totally worth it since you both get the sides that accompany the dish. We bought our own bottle of a special CA wine ($ 20 corkage fee) and went beautifully with dinner. This restaurant is so memorable it is the kind of place you dream about going to again because the food was so delicious. Reservations are highly suggested especially for weekends.

Really tasty Seabass and excellent pork chops. Very quaint location I would recommend it

If you’re looking for fresh seafood and an intimate setting, this is absolutely your place!
I came here with my family last night, a Friday, to celebrate my new job. First off, this place is incredibly intimate and adorable. It’s basically a house transformed into a restaurant. You can try getting a place at the bar, but I strongly suggest making a reservation because this place doesn’t have a lot of space and often seems to be booked up! Parking is a little difficult because it is Laguna Beach after all, so make sure you give yourself enough time to find parking before your reservation.
Service there is fantastic: quick and helpful.
Now, the best part: the food. My mom and dad split the Sword Sampler and my brother and I split the Chilean Seabass and it was absolutely enough food for all of us. The portions here are no joke. The Seabass was perfectly cooked and served with the most perfectly sweet and smooth coconut sweet potatoes you’ve ever had in your entire life. Possibly the only ones you’ve ever had in your entire life. The sauce was a super decadent Thai curry sauce with sesame that paired incredibly well with the fish, microgreens, and carrots. You can tell this food was made with a lot of creativity and love. It may be a little pricey, but it is well worth it especially if you’re celebrating or trying to impress someone on a date with how hip you so clearly are. I’ll definitely be coming back.

Outstanding seafood dinner on a Laguna Beach backstreet.
When I arrived, the place was nearly empty but I was told I could take one seat at the bar — everything else was reserved.
But, that gave me a front row seat to watch Chef Michael Leech do his magic, lovingly cutting his slabs of fish, dishing out the sauces, grilling to perfection. I could watch him doing his work, and then he handed me dinner over the counter himself.
I started with a cup of soup, which was more like a great fish stew — huge chunks of real fish and seafood, not your normal thin seafood soup with bits of shrimp. For dinner, I had the Chilean Seabass on coconut sweet potatoes with red Thai curry sauce. It was absolutely delicious! Every. single. bite.
Not for everyone — very open air, funky interior, not a sterile environment by any means, certainly the feel of a place on the beach, even though the ocean is a few blocks away.