Zainna

Does anyone know what happened to the business. There is a sign saying they are closed due to car accident. It makes me so sad, does anyone have an update on the family that owns the restaurant?

Stopped in on the basis of the reviews. The lemon pepper chicken is better than any steak I have had. Awesome food and friendly service. I can say best food I have had in Lexington.

I met a friend here for lunch. I actually was craving a falafel. Ordered falafel sandwich and sude of hummus. The hummus was so good. It was creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of sesame paste. I had to get some more hummus to go.
This place isnt a lot to look at but is all about taste.
The waitress was friendly and explained the dishes to my friend when he asked questions.
Nice place to stop in for a taste of the Mediterranean.

Zainna was terrific. The chicken shawarma was great, as was the hummus it was served with. The person I was with had a chicken kabob that came with rice and vegetables and tabouli. I sampled hers, and it was all delicious, particularly the tabouli.
Service was exceptional. The lady who took our order seemed genuinely invested in our satisfaction from start to finish. I would guess that she is either an owner or closely associated with the owner.
We will definitely be returning.

Tonight, I was able to experience a true definition of hospitality. From the moment I walked in the door, I felt welcomed. The atmosphere was so inviting and the staff were really friendly. The food was amazing and they had great options for kids. My daughter was really happy with her chicken and fries. I had the spicy charbroiled chicken, rice and freah salad. I was truly happy with my experience. The plus was meeting the owners and the beautiful daughter they named the restaurant after. I will look forward to trying something new next time. See you soon!!!

I went to the Unilocal event at Zainna. It was a small but unique, but awesome flavors in their food. We started off with 2 salads, 1 of the salads was a alfalfa sprout with tomatoes (it was really really good, I not only ate it I used it on top of my flat bread with the hummus. heaven was made.) Then off to the appitizer was the slider, grape leaf bite, a potato skin filled with the potato with many flavors, a wrap with a Falafel. Next we had a great main course, chicken & beef Kakab. The owner Shawn Abraham did amazing job on the food and allowing us to enjoy it. Shawn owns and manages the restaurant. Thank Heather for another great Unilocal Event.

I sat down to the BEST Mediterranean Food and Turkish coffee in Town! My friends and I got the Combination Platter and it turned into a food fest of extraordinaire Proportions!!! The spices on the meats were in perfect balance. The combination platter included beef, chicken, lamb in different preparations and a pine nut saffron rice platter!!! Wowziers!!! What fun This is the perfect way to enjoy food with friends. The food is creative awesomeness by the Chef. Shawn Abraham and his lovely wife own and run this restaurant. They also do catering of events, Like the card says!!! Premium!

I was actually driving from visiting my sister in charlotte nc and heading back to Chicago where I am from when my sister sent me two places close to the highway to grab lunch and stretch my legs. One was Mexican the other mediterannean. Well not much really beats Chicago Mexican so of course I chose Mediterranean, and I am so glad I did.
Walked in and was quickly greeted by the people working. I had no clue what to get cuz I usually get the chicken shawarma up here in Chicago at sultans and it’s so good so I actually let her pick. I got then chicken shawarma lunch special. And it was the best mediteranean food I’ve ever had and it wasn’t expensive.
The people that worked there including the chef (seemed to be a husband and wife, happily married) were SO into making their customers happy. The environment was friendly and lovely for such a small store front! I definately will be back the next time I head out on a road trip through lexington again.
Highly recommended. It will change your life!

I was enthusiastic about trying out this relatively new kid in town, since Mediterranean is my very favorite cuisine and I had read such glowing reviews from fellow Unilocalers about Zainna. Unfortunately I have yet to try a Mediterranean eatery in Cincinnati that even remotely impresses me, so I have to satiate my cravings on the weekends that I am in Lexington.
Tucked away in a very small, indistinct strip center (next to a gun shop — we are in Kentucky, after all), I was pleased to note that the place was SPOTLESSLY CLEAN and well-​lit. The lady at the counter was as sweet and warm as can be, and patiently reviewed the menu options with both the gentleman in front of us and my kiddo and I.
I ordered the chicken kebab lunch special, an order of falafel, and the kid’s lamb and beef shawarma lunch. Our food arrived quickly (no small feat, as I know the kitchen was backed up with a catering order for 50), and I was delighted with my meal. My chicken, although a little charred on the outside, was juicy and tender inside. I loved the fattoush salad (lemony and refreshing with crunchy little pita bits throughout). The hummus was perfect, thick and whipped as buttercream, drizzled with olive oil and so creamily delicious. I didn’t love the two kinds of rice that came with the meal, they were both fluffy to the point of mushy (however, this is purely a preference thing rather than imperfect execution). However, the falafel (five per order) were PERFECTION. Hands down, the best falafel I have ever had. Crispy, nearly greaseless, dark golden exteriors, caving in on first bite to a fluffy-​but-​compact (no crumbly nonsense here), steaming hot, herb-​y center. The kiddo and I both agreed they were the best falafel we’d ever eaten and we devoured them all. The kiddo was less satisfied with her meal, as she didn’t love her shawarma or rice. I sampled her meat and had to agree that the strips were a little chewy and greasy — not as good as my chicken.
There was a steady flow of lunch traffic at Zainna, impressive for a weekday. The two people I met who were working were both the friendliest, nicest people imaginable — they actually make you feel wanted at their restaurant, and more like personal dinner guests rather than nameless customers.
Lunch for two with falafel (the kiddo got a soda, I had water) came to $ 20 — great value for a yummy meal. I will definitely be going back, as those falafel were something else. Lexingtonians, I hope you realize how good you have it, with two stellar Mediterranean joints in town.