14 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, ON K1N 7A1, Canada
Zak's is a local institution that has been serving up classic diner fare for almost 40 years! Known for having the best burgers in Ottawa, with a side of nostalgia... plus the largest milkshake selection in town! Hearty all-day breakfasts, generous portions, poutine & specialty shakes are the draws at this enduring retro joint. Craft beer, wine, classic cocktails and a complete bar for a fun night out. Come by and let us show you why we have been Ottawa's favourite diner for generations.
🌱Vegan Friendly🌱 I was torn between four and five stars because there was some room for improvement, but I was so impressed by the service at Zak’s that I had to go with five. I stumbled across Zak’s by chance when the restaurant I was planning to go for dinner happened to close early for the day. I walked past on my way back and noticed Vegan Shakes on the menu displayed outside 👀 I kept walking at first but kept thinking about the vegan shakes so I doubled back to see the rest of the menu. I was so pleased to see so many options for vegan substitutions such as vegan eggs, beyond meat patties, vegan sausage, vegan cheese, non-dairy milk alternatives, vegan ice cream. I was greeted and seated within moments of arriving, and the server, Erik, came to the table very shortly thereafter. He was so sweet and seemed genuinely interested in making sure I had a great experience. I was interested in the beyond burger (which comes with vegan cheese, and plenty of free topping options!) and inquired whether the bun was vegan. Erik went to look into it and came back with an answer: unfortunately, neither their normal buns nor their gluten free buns are vegan, and all their bread options have egg (aforementioned room for improvement📝). I really appreciated him taking the initiative to check about the rest of the breads after determining neither bun option was vegan. It saved me having to follow up with, “are any of your breads vegan?” and feel annoying about doing so. Erik affirmed they could serve the burger on a lettuce “bun” so I ordered that. A woman, I didn’t catch her name, delivered my food and though our interaction was brief she came across as so sweet and friendly, and checked to make sure I had everything I needed. The beyond burger was great! Cooked just right, and I loved all the free toppings. I opted for fried onions, hot peppers, pickles, and mushrooms, in addition to the lettuce and tomato that automatically come with the burger. The fries were also FANTASTIC- hot and crispy. (So, side note, I suspect their “world famous” poutine is as good as they claim) Erik came to check in a few times to make sure I was satisfied with my meal and see if I needed anything. Of course I had to order a vegan shake! I got the chocolate vegan shake with oreos. It came out pretty shortly thereafter, delivered by the same woman who brought my burger. I saw whipped cream on the shake and started to ask about it and she let me know with a big smile that it was coconut whipped cream :) That was an unexpected surprise! I assumed it would just come without whipped cream. It also came with a cherry on top which made me smile. Better yet, she brought both the classic diner glass AND the mixing cup with the rest of the shake. Second (very minor) room for improvement, the shake was a bit icy. As I was drinking it there were a few spheres of ice which were big enough that I put them on my plate instead of trying to chew through them, but not huge. Maybe like 1 cm in diameter. I imagine they probably use relatively small ice to start with and the pieces I got probably just snuck by untouched. So, I think it could have been blended a bit more, but it was delicious all the same. Overall, I was really pleased by Zak’s, and appreciated that they seem to genuinely want all patrons to have a great experience and welcome feedback to make that so. This is clear not only in their replies to their Google reviews, but even on their menu they encourage you to let someone know if there is a problem so they can make it right. The two employees I interacted with, Erik and the woman whose name I didn’t get, also both exuded this gracious energy. They were both just so friendly and kind and made me feel so welcome; I just really hope they have a great day every day. 🥹🥲 The food was tasty- definitely the best diner food I’ve had! It would be awesome if there was a vegan bun (or even bread) available, but major props for the abundance of vegan and vegetarian choices that are available!
A Retro Gem in the Heart of Ottawa Zac’s Diner is an absolute must-visit if you’re in Ottawa! From the moment you step inside, the retro 1950s vibe instantly takes you back in time. The decor is colorful and nostalgic, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere. The food is good. Generous portions and bursting with flavor. Their classic burgers are juicy and cooked to perfection, and the milkshakes? Simply unbeatable! Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, a delicious lunch, or a late-night snack, Zac’s menu has something for everyone. Open 24/7 The staff here are friendly, attentive, and make you feel right at home. Plus, the location is super convenient, making it a great spot to stop by after exploring the city. If you’re looking for comfort food with a side of nostalgia, Zac’s Diner is the place to go. I can’t wait to come back!
Good food, lovely environment, lots of space. Brought a stroller and they were able to accommodate. Food was fairly priced and the portions were definitely filling. 10/10 would come back again.
“Zak’s Diner on Market-Place is arguably one of the best places to get grub from because, ‘not only are you surrounded by amazing little shops’ in the market but the (entire) area has great local people who have been there for a long time and are familiarized by their own experiences. Good place to get a drink anytime of the day. Great place to sit outside and relax. I love to pop in and have coffee with deserts. The Zak-Attack was amazing. Highly recommended and superbly underrated.
Great classic menu open 24 hours. They serve good tasty food at acceptable prices with no restrictions on when you can order breakfast or lunch items. They also allow lots of choice and substitution like upgrade to poutine on any dish and unlimited selection of burger toppings. Service is good but can get slow when the restaurant gets busy. The space fills up quickly so would recommend going during off peak hours. Worth making a detour.
24h classic diner themed spot in ByWard market catering to early breakfast or late night bites. Zak’s big breakfast hit the spot and the blueberry milkshake would be worth a second visit. Had a decent wait to be seated since there was no host available upon walking in and a fairly long line formed before they tended to the crowd, however once seated, Matt P. was a beauty of a server and he ensured our table was well taken care of. As a staple in the area, it’s worth checking out for a quick breakfast.
We were seated quickly and even though the restaurant seemed pretty busy the food and drinks didn't to take too long. The menu says the poutine was voted Ottawa's best but I'm not sure about that. Don't get me wrong, the poutine tasted really good and was very satisfying but I've certainly had better. The smoked meat sandwich tasted really great and my son liked the kids burger. The ice cream float was very good and the price was totally reasonable. I also had a margarita and that was very nice. I appreciated the excellent service and the air conditioning on a very hot day! I think the patio would have been amazing on a warm but cooler day
Love going to Zak’s diner! The food is always fresh and the service is great. I can never finish the whole plate in one sitting. Great for leftovers! I had the smoked salmon plate with cream cheese and bagel. Of course you have to try the milkshakes! They are to die for.
it was just like extremely mid
What a dump tourist trap, its all reheated garbage Sysco food charged at an ultra premium price, waited on by a 20-something trash bag serving nothing well but attitude thinking she is entitled to a 25% tip. The food is comically overpriced and the service is astonishingly bad. Youd have a better meal eating out of a garbage bin, better service too.
Thanks to the server
Food was okay - but pretty pricy for what you get. Bacon could have been fresher and the smoothie was essentially a cup of yogurt. We could not finish it all. What stood out was the waitress who looked like she was running the place at the beginning (more staff later showed up). She managed the growing number of tables extremely well and she was very friendly.
This dinner is apparently supposed to be opened 24/7. I showed up at 12:10 am on October 24th 2024 at the take out window with two friends and a few people waiting behind us, when the worker opened the window he rudely said we are closed, while there were people eating inside and a bunch of employees laughing sitting in the booths. I asked him why does it say on google and THE HOURS POSTED OUTSIDE OF THE RESTAURANT that they are opened 24/7, to which he replied it was made in 1999 and that they are closed. I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone and the employees are disrespectful.
Same old restaurant with greater expectations and beyond good memories of great 80s
Always stop into Zaks when I am in town. Friendly staff, great food.
Great find after getting into Ottawa super early to find everything closed. Zaks saved the day by being open and awesome. Thanks, everyone, at Zaks Diner.
Delicious Monte Cristo and a fantastic milkshake, absolutely an indulgence I didnt expect when I wandered out for a late lunch. Definitely reccomend.
I had a little spare time before work and decided to try out Zaks diner. I had a great experience, Kara my server was wonderful, nice, welcoming and very energetic. It s a great way to start the day! The food was very good and the portions were really good too. The prices were fare for the amount of food you have. I do recommend this restaurant for a good breakfast and a great diner atmosphere.
The food was super yummy. I ordered their 4 cheese poutine and it was sooooo good. It s better than fast food joint ones. I love the atmosphere, it s sooo cool with the retro look. I recommend. Every staff was great and friendly. Vegetarian options: They were yummy Parking: There are several paid parking garages near by. Street parking is not always available.
The security at the door were incredibly disrespectful and seem to have no form of customer service. Completely ruined our appetite and had no interest in eating here again. They need to be replaced/fired asap.
An omelette from the land of the burger, original and very good.
Disappointing experience. The cheeseburger was made with low-quality frozen patties, and much of the food tasted like it was microwaved. Quality and portion sizes have noticeably declined over the years, and the service has also worsened.
The Quebecer is the best poutine Ive ever had, the staff were very nice. We got into Ottawa late and this was the closest restaurant that was open so we went there and it was amazing Vegetarian options: Half of the menu is vegetarian Dietary restrictions: Alot of gluten the food Parking: There is no parking as far as I can tell Kid-friendliness: Very kids friendly Ive gone in the day and night and its good Wheelchair accessibility: Front entrance has stairs so not that accessible
A very retro cool diner with great breakfast options. Service was excellent, and they helped me with an umbrella too!
We stopped by for breakfast. It was the average diner experience. The portion sizes were good but the food tasted average. We tried the 3 cheese omelette and French toasts.
Excellent view n customer service!
The food was delicious and perfect, the servers were very nice and friendly, the bathrooms were clean and they even played some banger music in the bathrooms. Definitely recommend
Great service! The staff is always smiling and welcoming! We often come here for lunch and it s always good! The 50s jukebox atmosphere adds a little something pleasant and fun!
A perfect little Diner in Ottawa.
Burger held well fries perfectly crunchy And would definitely come back food is awesome here Food
Best diner in Ottawa,club sandwich is too good
Amazing service and awesome classic diner environment Dietary restrictions: Gluten free and vegetarian options Food : 5/5 |
Great place for a date
Has an amazing retro vibe. great breakfast and im amazing milkshakes!!!
Very tasty breakfast options.
Great service and super nice waiters great place to go Kid-friendliness: Great for kids and kind Food : 5/5 |
The food was good and the service was amazing but the problem was the bathroom there were weird marks on the wall and the soap dispenser was broken along with the lock and someone almost walk in on me
The motto of my trip to Ottawa was all roads lead to Zaks because its perfectly located in the Byward and has a diverse diner menu. I enjoyed my eggs Benedict and loved the little side of baked beans - a nice touch . The diner has lots of booths and diner decor. The only small downside was the accessibility of the washroom upstairs but everything else was perfect. One of my favorite parts of my meal was our interactions with our server Cara who made me laugh through breakfast. Would go back and recommend!
Good food in a retro atmosphere
One of my favorite restaurants in ottawa !
Popped in for dinner, the service was phenomenal, I had a shake and a burger... I think if I chose breakfast with the rest of my group, it would be 5 stars all the way. The grilled cheese burger reminded me of a local spot at home where the top bun is a grilled cheese, and the bottom bun is a grilled cheese, and then they make a burger with all the fixings. The item I had was a burger in a single grilled cheese. it just wasnt what I expected was all.
Very good food
Fast service, great meal, good portions, wonderful atmosphere. Looking forward to visiting again!
The food is great but the prices are obscene even for inflation. $4 for two pieces of white toast on a plate. Im talking plain white toast w butter. Theres inflation but then theres that. There are no loss leaders on this menu. The poutine is reasonable. Kids meals are $12 and we all forgot the included desset. Food good, service good, prices too high even for 2024.
Great service, good atmosphere (except the bees/wasps), delicious food. The salmon bagel was really well smoked. Tater tots and fries were awesome, soft in the middle with a crispy outside.
A great diner in the Market where everyone is sure to find something they love with their large selection of food and beverages. Service is efficient and cheerful making for a nice experience. Comfortable seating with a large patio for those lovely days.
Ive been to the desert a couple of times and thought it was the driest thing ever until I tried the French toast in Zak s
I will always love you, Zaks. You were the high school hang out, and the place where my marriage became possible. On top of that, you are filled with delicious food, extremely friendly staff, and the best chocolate shakes around. AND youre always open. I love everything about you.
Really great vegetarian options - loved this place!
Super fun diner with great food and milk shakes!
Love to come here whenever I go downtown. Usually order a milkshake with whatever meal I get, and most of the time its great, sometimes the flavour is inconsistent but still good. Staff are always friendly and very chill. Good vibes overall.
Amazing and fresh food, lots of options for vegetarian too. Great customer service.
Always amazing and the shakes here are THE BEST!
Good burgers with excellent crispy potatoes! Excellent vegetarian steak! Service a little long.
The Mr was extremely kind. He adapted to our low level of English by explaining and slowing down the pace. It was very appreciable! Dinner was very good, we enjoyed ourselves! Recommended by the backpacker guide and validated.
Bust spot. Might screw up your order but the food is super good
Ordered the deluxe grilled cheese. Came with 3 slices of bread and only one thin slice of cheese between each slice of bread and no bacon (which was advertised as being on the sandwich). Told the waitress about the bacon (although she didnt come by until I was almost done) and she was nice enough to offer a discount. I had tater tots with the dish and it was a large portion, but there is definitely nothing deluxe about the sandwich and should be improved.
We had fun, the food was good, and our server was wonderful! Parking: Right in front of the restaurant Food : 5/5 |
Love Zak s Diner for being super vegan friendly! Talk about a classic diner with a forward thinking menu. Pictured is their yummy vegan burrito with Just Egg, plant sausage, and cheeze Vegetarian options: plenty available
The security is extremely disrespectful. As the DD, I brought my four friends here and we were suppose to be seated in 10-15 minutes. In the meantime they let 2 groups of people (one offering 10$ to skip the line) bull doze through and when I said it was insane behavior they yelled at us and immediately took the group behind us when they told us a minute before there were no seats.
Always friendly service and good food Really enjoyed the experience Food
We were very impressed when we first visited Zaks in the Market, but with every visit, the food and service grew worse. Yesterday at lunchtime was particularly awful. My big breakfast was served to me much faster than usual. I heard the female server tell the customer next to me that they were expecting a big group and it was all hands on deck in the kitchen. My entire plate was cold. You could tell the sausage was old and/or microwaved, as if they premade a lot of food for the group they were expecting. I was starving, so I ate a little and set the rest aside. $20 for cold food? She finally came to take my plate away and I told her it was cold and inedible. She said, Why didnt we discuss this sooner? I told her it was because she never came back to check on us. (Although I did see her through the mirror sipping at her coffee and chatting with co-workers.) She made a face, grunted, and walked away. No sorry, no nothing. We will NEVER go back to this location.
Good tater tots and time travel to a classic diner.
Very old diner feel. Good service and food
Food was great, had a great server today and weather was great Dietary restrictions: I got a lactose free milkshake and it was the same quality as the regular ones Food : 4/5 |
Too busy
Ordered a breakfast meal and a smoke meat sandwhich for the table. At a diner, in the Canadian capital, you have to ask for maple syrup? The stuff on the table is table syrup. Maple syrup costs 3.00 more. The smoke meat sandwhich. Smaller than expected. No mustard. Over priced for portion size and quality. Service was satisfactory for a busy Sunday.
Enjoyed it very much.
A must but the quality of the dishes is average. There is better elsewhere. The service is excellent and the place is really cool.
It is ok
Very poor service. I waited for over half an hour for my breakfast, and they didnt provide any cutlery. Additionally, no one refilled my coffee despite being asked twice. The food was in large portions.
Zak s dinner is always a favourite spot to hit anytime I m in Ottawa. The food is always amazing from their all day breakfast to delicious lunch and dinner options. Their milkshakes are a must try! Vibes are 10/10, and make you feel like youve stepped back in time into an authentic dinner.
Had the smoked meat sandwich as waitress said it was hefty... It was not. I have also never had something as salty as that sandwich. Waitress replaced it with a cheeseburger, which was also disappointing. Clearly from frozen, flat and not not so tasty. Considering the prices, very disappointing from entrance to exit...
Service was slow, but waitress was polite so that is why 3 stars for service. Food: if I could put no stars, I would. Everything was frozen and I recognized everything from Costco, from the French fries to the tater tots, the chicken in the club or the wraps. $50 for 2 plates of frozen food was not something I was expecting.
We ate there 3 times during our trip to Ottawa. Always had good service and good food Food
Its the 2nd time I order from there (Uber) . And both times Im on a construction site, and I call the reataurant and asked to add ketchup to my order for the fries. Both damm time they didnt. I dont know it its you dont need ketchup on our food attitude, but it feels like it. And for that, take this one single star and use it to train the damm people on the phone.
Good food, I had the Mac and Cheese burger. It s a regular cheeseburger with fried mac and cheese wedges. The garlic sauce that I picked for it was delicious. The onions were weirdly cut but it was okay haha. The fries were battered so for me it s too much but they were good. The prices were a bit high though. We went for breakfast and when I saw the prices (15$ for 2 eggs and sausage sorry but no) I chose a burger instead. Overall good experience, great service !
Very good food and amazing staff our waiter was Chance and what a sweetheart! So friendly and accommodating Vegetarian options: Vegan options available too!
For the first time in over 20 years i was finally able to go back to Zacks. My first visit was in 1990 with my family. I used to wear the Zacks t-shirts all the time when i got back home as a kid. And today almost 35 years later, its still there, still great food and still great friendly service. Its a crown jewel of the market area. Will be coming back from Windsor every time i visit.
Mixed experience. Had the pancakes with 2 eggs and fruit. The pancakes were fantastic - crisp on the outside fluffy on the inside, although maple syrup was extra. Eggs were basic and the fruit was rather stale. Service was adequate and there was a nice patio to sit at.
Awesome diner experience with excellent fóod and milk shakes. My sons favorite place in Ottawa.
One of the best cheeseburgers I ever had and the milkshake was perfect. Very friendly service with a comfortable atmosphere. Highly recommend!
Amazing food ,cool atmosphere. Keep up the great great work.
Like a tourist destination: visit once and then never again. Overpriced for what you get, but hopefully you ll be too drunk to care. The milkshakes are good.
Food was alright. Service was top notch. Kid-friendliness: My son loved it and the cartoons playing were a nice touch . Food : 3/5 |
I went twice and loved the atmosphere. I ordered different wraps on both visits, a Chicken Ceasar Salad and a Chicken Crispy. Delicious! Only the service left something to be desired on the first visit. I waited more than 40 minutes for the order and the people around us who arrived after us received it quickly. Despite this, it s worth knowing and trying the dishes
Great vibes, great food and awesome milkshakes! Dietary restrictions: Options are available for those with gluten sensitivity Food : 5/5 |
I got the regular Caesar salad with chicken and a margarita. The salad was good. No complaints. You ll see a lot of black pepper on my salad, but I added that. I should ve taken a photo before.
Great food and friendly service!
Awesome old school diner, good burgers and poutine. Milkshakes were really good.
Been in a few diners. This is not recommended. Average portions. No flavor. Not a good atmosphere. Food is plain.
Price is why I will never return. Breakfast should never cost more than dinner. Totally not worth the price.
Excellent food! Loved the atmosphere of this restaurant. From the moment I stepped inside I was just mesmerized by all the memorabilia that was everywhere. Brought me back to another era. Great customer service served with a smile. Very friendly staff and I will be going back again. Wheelchair accessibility: Unfortunately, the stairs are not wheelchair friendly but that doesnt mean you cant get service because there is a large dining patio available that has umbrellas which is easily assessable for all.
Smiling and fast service.
Excellent milkshake and food! Right to the dog on the patio, our dog even had a small plate of whipped cream :)
a well deserved place in the pantheon of Ottawa diners - their milkshakes and side poutine are practically a must have any time Im there
Its always a great place to grab a bit to eat!! Service is awesome
Try their milkshake!!
Waiters are amazing and so nice
Loved our brunch at this classic diner. Our server was so friendly and made the experience that much more special!
We came across Zaks looking for a breakfast spot. Super cool inside, and the food was outstanding. The service was top notch. Great value for servings.
A lot of hype around this place but the food was very disappointing. Prepackaged food and frozen fries. Will not be back
Great dinner and their milkshakes are good, a bit pricey though.
Mediocre food, and even worse staff. Tall guy and British sounding guy super rude to customers. Don t waste your time or money.
The staff was very attentive, friendly but without trying too hard; spot on. We shared one Pancake breakfast, as the portions are huge. Everything tasted good and we were not hassled every five minutes by someone. Food
The staff were very nice, and the milkshakes are fantastic, when we went it wasnt super busy and the food was absolutely disgusting, we had the burgers and they tasted like cardboard and it looked like those cheap beef patties you can get at the grocery store and the fries were just Mcain bag fries for 40$ per person it was ridiculous, I would definitely never come back here. Also if youre a bit on the thick side you will not fit it those booths theres absolutely no room.
Nice to have senior menu
The food appears to be reheated frozen cafeteria food. Dont eat here. If you choose to eat here anyway stick with breakfast and ask to be seated in Seans section - great service!
I have been to Zaks a lot in my earlier years so when my friend and I were downtown again we decided to go in for good times sake! I have nothing bad to say about our server she was very sweet however my husband s chicken sandwhich came out raw. No biggie it can happen we told our server she apologized and got us a new one very fast! That s when things started to go downhill. Not once did a manager come over to speak to us about the undercooked chicken, when the sandwhich came out just the breast was cut in half I guess to make sure it was cooked (I am in the service industry so I know they should be temping it so I found that odd) and to my shock there was no offer of a discount due to being served raw chicken. I would love to have given a better rating but the lack of service recovery is what s making me write this review. My husband could have been very sick and that s just simply unacceptable. I hope they can do better management wise on guest recovery when it comes to something this serious. We paid over $75 to potentially get very sick and also for my husband to eat alone because we were all done eating by the time his food came out.
Great atmosphere. Busy, family place.
I loved their famous milkshake. Staff were great. Love the retro diner look.
Food is really bad - ive received my order of chicken strips after roughly an hour still frozen - HOWEVER their smoothies allows them to still be somewhat redeemable
Unhappy with service. Saw our server only when he took my order and after waiting for the bill for 20 minutes. Requested maple syrup from 2 other servers and didn t get it. Had to grab maple syrup myself.
Great service, great food, would go back
Our first diner experience and we loved it. Fast, friendly and wfficient service. And i loved the soup. Food : 5/5
We found ourselves at Zaks Diner in the middle of our bachelorette party. The staff were all so friendly and the service was incredible. Shout out to Avery and Finn for making Zaks Diner another memorable part of our night!
I ordered a breakfast meal it was really good. The prices are higher than at other breakfast locations but its only a couple dollars more. Its also a cool looking restaurant and milkshakes here are something to try.
So good we came back again on the same afternoon great service reasonabably priced food & drinks as we came during happy hour. Enjoyed the Poutine and shakes also went down very well Kid-friendliness: Apparently has the best milk shakes ever
My favorite place to have breakfast in. Every time I come to Ottawa I visit Zaks Diner . The best service and the most amazing atmosphere. I honestly wish we had one in Montreal. And I hope the owner considers it in the future. Kid-friendliness: The staff are extremely friendly and kind with kids . Every time ( 6 years now) my daughter just loves the attention they give her and the time and recommendations. Thank you Zaks Diner.
We went for milk shake. Its very good. They actually split it when we said we are going to share it. We also decided to order fries. We didnt like them as much. And it would have been a better deal to order a burger with fries.
SHAME. The service and attitude that serves us are questionable. There are 7 of us of my friends with their kids eating in the restaurant. We were eating peacefully while the kids were making a bit of noise. Of course, it is only natural because they are kids, but honestly, the kids are not giving tantrums and shouting and they were all just being playful. As a result, the waitress suggested we leave the facility and gave us a disgusted look on her face, even earlier one of my friends told us after that one of the waitresses whispered to her to leave the restaurant with the kids. I thought this Diner would be a kid-friendly restaurant. Luckily we know better, with that attitude anyone would make a scene just by insulting the kids. Plus the food, we ordered milkshakes and ice cream mocha. we were close to the booth and saw how they made it. The moment they got our orders they made the cold orders right away and let it sit for a long time. they served the ice cream melted and the milkshake warmer than expected. SUCH A SHAME. Even the bacon and sausage poutine we ordered, most of the sausage is burnt. We were just a tourist for the weekend in Ottawa. Im 100% not recommending this Diner to anyone.
A Canadian diner in Byward with an ok atmosphere. Found it a bit dark and seems a bit unloved. Food was good. Crispy chicken wrap and fries. The side green coleslaw though small, was fabulous. Chocolate milkshake delicious, though at $10 it would have been disappointing if it wasnt. Service was lacking - no cultery or napkins given with meal nor offered. I would eat there again if no other options.
The food is excellent, the milkshakes are spectacular, the staff are friendly, quick, and efficient. This place is an outstanding diner. If you are in Ottawa, make sure to spot in. I am still thinking about how good their maple milkshake is.
Labeeb was amazing! Very charismatic and friendly, really appreciated the service. A++
Showed up behind two ladies. Hostess went to seat them and never came back. Many servers looked at me but no one acknowledge I was there. After waiting and still no one caring I was there I gave it a 30 count. Right at thirty I was seated in the ha ha ta me in the furthest back corner of the place. This is a diner. No one came to table. No said be right there. No offer of coffee or anything else. Looked at menu. Certainly not a diner. When I decided to leave no one even bothered to acknowledged I was even there. So I left. Not likely to ever return. Weren t that busy. Lots of empty tables
Beautiful place with a really cool vibe. Their milkshakes are soo good! Thoroughly enjoyed our time here
Went for breakfast on Canada Day. Service and atmosphere was amazing. Eggs Benedict are terrific. Will definitely go again.
I recently dined at Zak s Diner and was extremely disappointed with the service. The waiter who attended to us was incredibly rude and displayed a consistently unprofessional manner. His attitude significantly detracted from our dining experience. Its unfortunate because the food was good, but the poor service left a bad impression. I hope the management addresses this issue to ensure better customer service in the future.
Waitress super rude . They want us te seat wherever they want even though there was tables available. Food is not bad but the servers damage the mood . Very disappointed Food : 2/5
I had a chocolate shake which was a meal all in itself. Delicious!! Then we shared a chicken wrap which was simple and delicious and a very decent size. Recommended for a tasty meal away from the traditional foods.
The food and waitress were nice but my experience wasn t as good as I hoped because the guy at the very front who guided us to our table is either very rude or the restaurant policy overall doesn t welcome a bigger group. We were 11 people by the way. We understand the place is busy and we said that we can separate into 3 tables no problems. We don t have to sit together and then he started saying even so, it s going to be over an hour wait for the 3rd table even though the turn around time seems fairly quick. Not exactly sure why he even exaggerated and mentioned that it s going to be over an hour wait to us while there s a line behind us and he didn t say a word to them. Then right after the conversation, the very same moment, there s a table became available right in front of us and we asked for it. He then started making excuses, saying oh well, we don t have anyone who can clean that table right now. After a short conversation, he unwillingly cleaned the table for us, which only took him less than one minute to clean. Not sure what all the excuses are about but he and his manner is definitely not well trained and yet he is the greeter, the first person you see at the popular, well known restaurant.
The experience isnt what it used to be... Service was slow and very familiar. The floors were littered with food
Great little diner in the heart of the Byward Market. Food was excellent and service fast and friendly. Would go back again in a heartbeat to enjoy the great selection of items on the menu.
Love the retro diner vibes! Food was good, and our server was fantastic and funny! They also have vegetarian/ vegan options.
SO GOOD! The milk shakes were the best! Sophie was our waiter and she gave us excellent service. It was a very enjoyable experience and I am definelty coming back soon!
We had the best dinner at zaks tonight! Ive been visiting this diner for over 30 years and it just gets better! We had great service from Sophie, from friendly to knowledgeable!! Food
Zak didn t show up and left us in the rain
One word: Decadent! The milkshake are amazing There is a lot of vege options Food : 5/5
I was visiting Ottawa and took a long walk, bumped into this spot and absolutely loved the vibe here.
Popular place with an all day breakfast that absolutely delivers! Great service from the staff. Food may take a little longer to prepare because it s always busy, but patience pays off when you take the first bite.
The experience was terrific with a wonderful 60s dinar atmosphere with food that complimented the theme and left me and my grandparents stomachs full Pros of the food Big portions, Filling (I was there for dinner) Delicious and gave me a unique flavor Cons of the food Got a bit pricey for 3 people, the meat in the samwhich I got was a bit overpowering and was hard to chew Pros of the service The waitress I got was friendly and enjoyed my grandparents humor and even helped take pictures and recommendations for food Cons of the service The food took longer to arrive then wanted and the person who served the food (not the original waitress) dropped some of my food while passing it to me I will not put full blame on the individual as the food was overflowing the plate and he looked tired as it was pretty busy and getting close to closing time I felt bad as he seemed embarrassed
nice american style pizza with sesame crust, random sauces and glazes, and spicy unique flavors. so much fun but a little bit expensive since the sauces cost additional money (which is quite uncommon in america). that said the pizza sizes are huge and i was able to eat mine as leftovers later
Arrive there after working a long job and me, and my partner wanted a snack when walked in was greeted very respectfully and was seated very quickly. Food was excellent and atmosphere was amazing.
We visit Ottawa often and always make a stop at Zaks Diner. Love the staff.
Service is good foods are okay. Great shakes
A true Diner experience. Great comfort food and wonderful friendly service.
It is one of the best old-fashioned diners in Ottawa. I always try to eat there every time Im in ottawa.
Great food, and great service. Would highly recommend them for breakfast.
Food was ok, drinks were great, vibes were immaculate. 10/10 on playlist choices alone and our server was so sweet and friendly.
Amazing food! Omelette was the bomb!!! Definitely worth checking out!
I come back to Zaks every so often. The food is great, and the portion is awesome. The milkshake was yummy as always. The service was wonderful. Shout out to our server last night, Aidan (I hope I spelled his name right). He was such a great guy! He is really hospitable and personable. The atmosphere is always fun! Overall, it was a great experience. Ps: I recommend the Nachos!!! Big portion and hella good!!! You wont regret it!
I went to Zaks a number of times during their happy-hour equivalent. I ordered breakfast and a drink. The drinks here (the boozy shakes) are AMAZING, my GF loves the mimosas. They are the reason I go to Zaks. I also had the eggs benedict, and they were great. The food on the bargain menu is pretty meh but I understand that. The staff are super nice too. We had a guy ask if we wanted to order, but we were a bit early for the happy hour. He took our order and came back 5 mins later to show him sending in our order right when the happy-hour started. We cheered and had a great time.
Pretty nice Diner in the Byward Market Square area. Plenty is seating indoors and on the patio as well and usually open late too. Food and service were up to par so yes I would recommend as I d return again myself someday.
Very good restaurant good quality/price and the service is good
Great food and service, a little expensive but it is the market. Parking: Plan your parking, price of the parking garages vary alot. The whole area is dense with attractions so ditch the car somewhere central for the day. I have used apps like parkopedia to get lot prices and rules. There is a municipal lot across the street this Dinner. Word Exchange Centre is great if you are also going to parliament Kid-friendliness: No problem, noisy dinner with kid friendly food like shakes and fries. Kids are common at this restaurant. Wheelchair accessibility: It is a dinner with a short walk up steps and so I think the front door area is difficult, maybe they have a ramp i did not look or ask. There is a main floor accessible bathroom once you are in.
A vintage sixties frame. A very pleasant and dynamic welcome. A varied menu offering different burgers, Poutines, salads, milkshakes, pastas and soups.
Great for teens cool in side Dietary restrictions: Gulent free opportunity Food : 5/5 |
Went with my family, visiting from England so first authentic diner experience. Our server was very attentive. She got us our milkshakes on the happy hour deal and made sure we got everything we needed. It was quiet at the time we went (around 3pm) so we got all their attention. It was great. She is very friendly, funny and great at her job! A must visit.
Clean, fast and courteous.
had the best server named em, she was so sweet and made a late night snack with the girls even better.
Love the milkshakes! Always my place to go. Staff super friendly too,
Good cruelty-free food (vegan), great and friendly service, and love they are open late so we can find vegan options post-animal rights activism events in the market as most places still open offer only french fries. 4 stars for food as this place could easily be all vegan and cruelty-free.