Zeitoun, Claygate in Elmbridge

We decided to go to Zeitoun for my birthday celebration, and it turned out to be an exceptional choice. The ambiance was absolutely delightful, warm and inviting. It set the perfect tone for a special evening. The food was absolutely delicious. Every dish was packed with flavour and the portions were generous, leaving everyone more than satisfied. The balance of spices and freshness in the dishes was remarkable, showcasing the essence of Lebanese cuisine. The staff were another highlight. Their friendliness and attentiveness made the experience even better. They were quick to offer recommendations and ensured everything went smoothly throughout the meal, adding a personal and thoughtful touch to the evening. The music was fantastic and added a lively energy to the restaurant. It enhanced the overall atmosphere without overwhelming the conversation or dining experience. Overall, this restaurant exceeded expectations and made my birthday celebration truly memorable. It’s a place I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for delicious food, exceptional service and a charming dining experience.

Food was delicious and plentiful, we ordered two portions between 3 of one of the set menus and it was still too much. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and very comfortable with gorgeous views of the green outside the window. Loved it.

Great food, friendly staff and nice atmosphere. Very happy to come again.

Lovely food, good wines, and a very pleasant atmosphere.

Amazing atmosphere, fantastic food. Great for date nights and for group gatherings!

Attended a wedding reception yesterday. What a wonderful place for a celebration. Beautiful decor, spacious tables and luxuriously comfy chairs all so stylish. The team were so friendly, fun and so hospitable. Food absolutely delicious. A true wedding feast. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon and evening. Highly recommend.

A spur of the moment decision to try out a restaurant so close to home but that we hadn’t visited. A sunny evening - and a lovely meal. Great food, such friendly staff and a lovely smart but relaxed atmosphere. Really superb package. Top class.

Excellent food which actually reminds me of Lebanon - great atmosphere and service - our new "local" has been found! Highly recommended!

It’s a delight to review our local Lebanese restaurant, Zaitoun , at our door steps in Claygate. Food was fresh, contemporary and delicious. We ordered several dishes to be served for 8 to 10 family members. The dishes consisted of hummus, lebneh, muttabal, tabbuleah, philaphil, lamb shawarmas and chicken kebabs etc. The dishes were sumptuous , fragrant, with sharp perfumes of zaatar, sumac. Lemon and garlic and olive oil.

Lovely place for dinner. Great food, wonderful staff. Very good value.

Exquisite, cannot fault it. Comfortable chairs!!

Wow, it is one hour away from me but it's absolutely delicious.

Lovely food, atmosphere and restaurant! John the manager was a legend and made sure we were well looked after. Will definitely be back!

Absolutely delicious Lebanese food with great ambience and lovely staff!

Best prawns I have ever had!!! Would recommend for everyone!

Fantastic food, well priced and friendly service. Will be coming back soon!

Very authentic. Great food. Pleasant evening.

Had a meal with 2 friends on Saturday night for a friends 30th. I asked the staff if they could bring something out with a candle and all the staff came over and sang happy birthday. The food was out of this world! Absolutely mouthwatering delicious. I can’t find fault in anything that we ordered! We shared vine leaves, moussaka and cheese in filo pastry to start. For our main lamb chops, the cod and mine was the king prawns. Every mouthful was delicious. Added bonus was the Dj afterwards. It was an expensive night but we did have 2 bottles of wine and some cocktails.

I thought the food was great. In fact I would say the food was refined. And all the staff were nice to.

Fabulous family meal on a Friday night. Shared delicious starters and huge main courses. Great service and atmosphere.

The food was so amazing the chef he had his special signature the cocktails was more than perfect the truth if we can give more than 5 stars i will I will come back next time for sure

It’s nice for every thing Thank you so much

Great venue for our staff Christmas party. The food was lovely and plenty of it, the staff were so helpful and attentive all evening, nothing was too much trouble. Thanks to John for helping organise and for making sure everything went smoothly on the night. Highly recommend!

Before helping a family member with some furniture sorting in her new flat we dropped by Zeitoun in Claygate for lunch. She had recommended this Lebanese restaurant to my wife and I as being ‘as good as’ the Italian restaurant next door which was closed at the time. So we went with positive expectations. My first impression was of a clean, bright open area with tables spaced to allow easy movement around the restaurant. So many restaurants place table and chairs too close together for comfort, looking fine when empty but difficult to navigate when diners are seated. I was pleased to see that the Zeitoun had made a much better job of their layout. We were greeted by a friendly staff member who took coats and showed us to our table. Menus appeared shortly and our drinks orders were taken minutes after. So far so good. The menu was split into two main areas, the first being a typical ‘à la carte’ format with familiar Lebanese offerings. The second part consisted of set lunch menus that made the choice process much easier for us, given we didn’t want to have too long a lunchtime before getting into flat sorting activities. As there were four of us we chose two ‘two-person’ menus, each with a different meat option to give us variety. Our starters arrived after a reasonable interval with the portion sizes being just about right for us. We left very little and did not feel that we could have asked for more given the expectations of our main courses. The table was then cleared by a waiter who carried prodigious quantities of plates and dishes balanced in a way that seemingly defied the laws of physics. All the while he maintained a good natured attitude, was pleasingly attentive and responded to our various requests without fuss. Next came the main course options in similarly satisfying quantities and it must be said that we enjoyed every component laid before us. I have spent time in the Middle East and the food presented to us at the Zeitoun offered strong positive echoes of that period; much was so familiar - sight, smell and taste. To round off the meal we ordered desserts and coffee followed by a bill that demonstrated good value for the meal and service we had enjoyed. The best part for me was that I left the Zeitoun feeling pleasantly fed and comfortable. So the recommendation was correct, yes it was as good as the Italian restaurant next door, and I will be pleased to go back to either one next time I want a meal in Claygate. But if you specifically want to enjoy Lebanese food then I can certainly recommend the Zeitoun.

An excellent Lebanese meal. Delicious tastes. Lovely choices.

I arrived just after the kitchen had closed, but they managed to get the snack I wanted. I also had a glass of the House white/ extremely good staff

Great service, amazing labense food. I love the cocktail 🍹DJ after 10pm at the bar Friday/Saturday till late. Great place to meet friends and family.

I love this place we come where regularly they have a lovely atmosphere comfy chairs still looks smart there non acholic drinks are really goid the Meza are so good come with free bread they peope where are so nice and food is so delicious would definitely recommend

Very special restaurant. Thank you team! It was so good to go again and to enjoy the food, drinks/coctails and atmosphere! Staff are always happy with customers, welcoming, smiling and very organised just like everything else at Zeitoun! This is the most authentic and deliscious lebanese food around. You are in for a real treat!

Fantastic restaurant! Yummy food and great atmosphere

Beautifully prepared and presented delicious Lebanese food. The best for miles. Generous portions snd in a really attractive setting. Will definitely be coming back.

Lovely lebanese restaurant, extensive menu would cater for all. Great little wine bar at back.quality service. I'll be back

Got take out soujok wrap, best £9 I have spent in a while. Tasty and hot, quick service too.

Great decor, friendly and efficient service and superb food. Can't wait to eat there again.

Had dinner on a monday. Was rather empty. Nice service, friendly. Food was poor throughout. Very dry and looked as if it was leftovers…dry, tasteless. Pity. As we were there for the first time.

On my last visit it was at the invitation of the management to celebrate having been opened for one year. This restaurant is a breath of fresh air to Claygate and the area as it has brought Lebanese food from Mayfair to Claygate. Most of the eastern and western films have come from recipes centuries ago use in Lebanon. The venue is excellent and the management and staff are very attentive and helpful. The food continue to come continuously throughout the evening and it was all excellent. The wine also flowed. This is on my list of regular restaurants for atmosphere

Fresh good food and really cool staff. Recommend!!!

Had no idea this restaurant was just down the road in Claygate. Absolutely amazing food and great service. There’s also a sizeable cocktail bar at the back. Will definitely be making this one a regular. Can’t recommend highly enough

I visited Zeitoun one evening with a large bunch of friends for a birthday celebration. Whilst the buffet style of dining for us that night didn’t represent the true experience, it did mean we got to try many different dishes - and every one was delicious ! Again, it was difficult to tell what ‘normal’ service would have been like but all the staff seemed very polite and efficient. I’m looking forward to returning and sampling more of their lovely authentic Lebanese dishes.

This has become my friend and I's regular lunch venue. They do the most amazing humour with figs and pomegranate. We have slowly dropped other things just to concentrate on that lol along with the amazing garlic dip, that I found so delicious I had to find a recipe and now have a constant supply in my fridge. We may be boring but the shawarma is our go to. It's delicious. I didn't have it last time I chose the very nice chicken tagine ... there was so much I took what I didn't eat hone and had it the next day. Roll on the next luncheon.

Amazing!!! Went there for a family dinner. Very tasty food and wonderful atmosphere. The bar is a great addition if you want to stay just for the drink and nibbles. We all had wonderful time!

We enjoyed a splendid late lunch today at this lovely restaurant. I highly recommend the cold meze starter and the mixed grill.

Have ate in this restaurant 4 times now and is faultless the food service and atmosphere is great

The best atmosphere ever, the staff is very welcoming and making sure you receive the best service. Food was absolutely great never hade Lebanese food before but I will definitely come to eat again thank you to all the staff see you soon.

Delicious food well presented,beautiful decor spotless clean, must try fig homus highly recommended.

Fantastic food and absolutely lovely staff. Generous portions for the mains, but the starter plates are divine! Look forward to coming back when in the area again.

Delicious food that is well presented and excellent quality. Lovely staff with large range of dishes. Highly recommended

1 star at a slight push. Wasn't happy with the entire dining experience.

Went to Zeitoun's for the first time on a Saturday for a friend's birthday/bachelorette party. Loved every single moment! John and the waiters were super friendly and attentive. Food was delicious - especially the falafels!! Beautiful décor, great attention to detail and we were looked all night. Definitely recommend for future celebrations!!

Really fresh taste and great selection

Lovely atmosphere, outstanding customer service and the food was amazing.

Came here yesterday for my sisters hen night/ birthday surprise and was absolutely blown away by the sleek and sophisticated decor, the amazing customer service (nothing was too much, including playing a birthday playlist)- the waiters were so attentive and helpful and John the friendly restaurant owner ensured the day went perfectly. The food was nicely seasoned and tasteful and cocktails were very moreish. If you are looking for a quiet romantic night or a celebration - Zeitoun Claygate is definitely the spot!

Great, food, great service and a well kept secret

Excellent Lebanese food and wine 🍷

The best Lebanese I’ve ever had. Definitely coming back.

This is the most delicious Lebanese food I have had. Halloumi and chicken shawarma is the best. Definitely would go again.

We came to check it out as a birthday celebration venue. It didn’t disappoint. Comfortable seating, great staff and extremely delicious food. Thank you. We will be back soon

The food was absolutely amazing. As a hungry family of 4 we all left absolutely stuffed. Not only this, but the atmosphere and the service were also top tier. We had a waiter called Arde who was so helpful and lovely, and who even sorted us out an extra pot of this fig hummus which we loved! Would definitely come again and recommend it to anyone, we are going to come back again as soon as possible!

The food was excellent and the service was amazing.

Amazing! Beautiful restaurant. Great atmosphere, great food and friendly staff especially the manager John.

Very good all round. The chilli sauce is very good. We will be back.

Great food with massive portion sizes.

Absolutely loved all the food, the atmosphere was lovely and the service staff were amazing. 10/10 would recommend!

Visited for Valentines 💝 dinner. Excellent food in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.

First time at this relatively new neighbourhood Lebanese. Lovely environment service and food . Will go again but do remember to ask for the set lunch menu if they don’t offer it as a matter of course.

Lovely place with a great atmosphere! Delicious Lebanese food. Thank you team zeitoun for the great time at your restaurant.

The food and decor is stunning. Stuff are wonderful too

Starters and Service are great, but very very disappointed with the main courses.

The restaurant is amazing. The food is specific & finger-licking good. The staff is extremely well prepared and friendly- ready to answer any question or offer amazing recommendations. The beautifully balanced music acompanies the superbly designed place, creating an ambience you don't want to leave - especially after such satisfying meals.

***Not a mates review*** Food was amazing, colourful and vibrant and tasty. Our host was a guy called John, he was really attentive and great with advising on the menu. Can’t really fault the place to be honest, clean, welcoming, warm welcome and good food. it should have been busier but I guess new places need a chance! Well worth a visit.

Great food, excellent service from Dan and live music. Great night out

Absolutely delicious Lebanese dishes, including best lamb kofka and tabbouleh I've ever had. Service attentive, discreet, charming. Will be coming here again❤️

The food, drink and ambiance is simply outstanding. John and the front of house team are fantastic. Real passion for the food and it shows- fresh, delicious and the best Lebanese food I’ve ever had.

Very good lebanese food, excellent, friendly service, nice ambience. What more do you want!

A real gem of a restaurant in Claygate. John, our host, made us feel so welcome. The food was excellent. A really good day out and a restaurant I highly recommend. We will certainly be going back many times. Really good value for money too.

This is such a welcome addition to the restaurants in Claygate. The food is amazing as is the service , thank you Dan & Andy (& chef of course!). The mezzes choice is so varied one clearly has to come back and back again to try different ones! The menu choices are full and varied, but in 2 visits so far we have been drawn to the mixed grill as a main. Portions are generous so consider sharing a mixed grill if you’re having several mezzes to start! Promise we’ll try the sea bass soon as it looked fabulous. House Lebanese red wines terrific quality & value , even more special if available is the château musar jejune…. Really looking forward to enjoying this fabulous restaurant again soon. It will be our no1 choice in Claygate in the future. Thank you David & Karine

This place is a must go! My husband is Lebanese and we definitely give 5 stars for everything! The cuisine is authentic with a modern twist, the furniture and decor is simply gorgeous, and the staff are more than helpful and so nice! We are regular customers to Averna and now we will also be regulars at Zeitoun!

We had a fabulous meal. Beautiful decor. Spotlessly clean. Food was delicious, service efficient and charming. The restaurant was able to handle the allergy requirements of one of the diners, which tells me that the kitchen is well run. Highly recommend!

Looking for somewhere special to celebrate a special occasion? Look no further. A party of 5 of us ventured here for a birthday meal. I had never sampled Lebanese cuisine before, but was assured that I would enjoy it. The staff are fantastic and most welcoming. The décor is excellent. The staff explain anything and everything that you need help with. The service is second to none. We were recommended to share 4 mezze starters between the 5 of us and 4 mains as well. This worked brilliantly and every item ordered was served promptly and all were absolutely delicious. The cocktail menu is great as is the wine list. Will most definitely re visit. If you were able to award more stars I most certainly would. I cannot praise the whole evening highly enough. Thank you to everyone who made our evening so magnificent.

Busy new restaurant in Claygate. The food was excellent but a little pricey. The waitress didn't understand what we were asking for and I ended up with tonic water with my vodka, instead of soda. Staff were friendly and polite. Service was good and the vibe was lively and relaxing.

My second time visiting this fantastic new restaurant. The food is excellent & authentic, the staff and owners are really lovely and the place is beautiful. We will be back many more times I am sure!

Fantastic Food & Service Deco lovely and so clean Totally Recommend

Went for lunch as a couple. We ordered 4 dishes and every one was excellent. We were so impressed, we then took friends there for dinner the following week. Ambience was buzzing and lively, food was exceptional yet again and the service could not be faulted. Definitely a new favourite for us and a must try for anyone looking for something different.

No price list for the menu. Do you gift what you can afford?

Amazing food, great atmosphere and a very welcoming and knowledgeable staff. Special thank you to Dan, for the food recommendation and wine parring! Our evening was amazing! We will definitely come back and we will spread the word about this lovely new place!

New Lebanese Restaurant in Claygate. Authentic, Delicious Meze, Outstanding Mains & Sweet Puddings. John the Manager knows his stuff & the team excel both in the Kitchen & on the floor.