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Zinc Cafe & Market
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Zinc Cafe & Market
8.4
At Zinc’s Arts District outpost, a vegetable-focused menu hides a surprisingly rich spinach lasagna alongside grain bowls, salads, and wine-friendly snacks. The leafy courtyard and all-day format make it a reliable pick when you want lasagna in a lighter, more California-leaning setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spinach Lasagna, Funghi Pizza, Seasonal Grain Bowl
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Vegetable-forward cafe where spinach lasagna meets one of DTLA’s most pleasant courtyards.
Who should go: Groups mixing lasagna cravings with lighter, veg-driven plates.
When to visit: Daytime or golden hour for maximum courtyard appeal.
What to order: Spinach lasagna, funghi pizza, a salad or grain bowl.
Insider tip: Order at the counter, then claim a courtyard table away from Mateo Street traffic.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Mateo and nearby blocks is usually available but can be tight during peak Arts District hours; several paid surface lots sit within a 2–3 minute walk.
Dress code: Relaxed California casual; daytime athleisure and breezy layers are common, while evenings lean slightly more polished.
Noise level: Moderate; the courtyard allows for comfortable conversation, while indoor tables can pick up chatter during peak meals.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes depending on courtyard demand; the all-day counter-service format helps keep the line moving.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait; may spike briefly between noon and 1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the menu is largely vegetable-forward with multiple vegetarian entrées and sides.
Vegan options: Moderate — several bowls, salads, and vegetable plates can be ordered vegan or easily modified.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many salads, bowls, and veggie plates are naturally gluten-free, though lasagna and pizzas are not; no dedicated GF kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the leafy courtyard, natural light, and relaxed pace make it an easy first-date setting, especially for daytime or early-evening meetups.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it operates on counter service, so no reservations are needed. Arrive slightly early for the best courtyard seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids; the courtyard has space for strollers, but the menu skews vegetable-forward and might be less appealing to very young children.
Best For
Better for: Casual daytime meals, courtyard dining, and vegetable-led plates paired with a lighter lasagna option.
Skip if: You want a heavier, classic meat lasagna or a full-service dinner environment; choose a more traditional trattoria instead.
Zinc Cafe & Market
8.4
Zinc’s Arts District location is a leafy, mostly vegetarian cafe and market where grain bowls, egg dishes, and pastries flow out to a big patio shared with Bar Mateo. Brunch here feels calm and garden-like compared to nearby warehouses, especially if you linger with coffee or cocktails under the trees.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado toast, Breakfast burrito or bowl, Spinach lasagna or seasonal quiche
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Vegetable-forward cafe with an olive tree courtyard that feels more like a garden than a city street.
Who should go: Groups mixing lighter vegetarian plates with brunch cocktails.
When to visit: Weekend late morning or golden hour for peak patio ambiance.
What to order: Avocado toast, breakfast burrito or bowl, daily pastry.
Insider tip: Order at the counter, then grab a patio table near the fountain to escape Arts District traffic noise.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Mateo and the surrounding Arts District blocks is available but can be tight during brunch rush; a nearby paid lot on Palmetto typically has open spots.
Dress code: Casual but polished — think relaxed weekend wear that fits a garden-patio vibe.
Noise level: Low to moderate — easy for conversation, especially on the courtyard side away from the bar.
Weekend wait: N/A — brunch-focused; afternoon crowds can create a 15–25 minute wait for patio seating.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal to no wait, even for outdoor tables.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent — most of the menu is naturally vegetarian or can be adapted.
Vegan options: Good — several bowls, salads, and vegetable plates can be made vegan.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — bowls and salads work well, but pastry options are limited.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the courtyard is calm, leafy, and easy for conversation. It works best for casual, daytime dates rather than anything overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is mostly first-come, first-served. Arrive before 11:30am on weekends for the shortest wait, especially if you want patio seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes — the open patio gives families space to spread out, though the menu leans more adult-healthy than kid-centric. Best for kids 6+ who are comfortable at relaxed sit-down cafés.
Best For
Better for: A quieter, more garden-like brunch than the typical Arts District scene, with strong vegetarian options and a relaxed café pace.
Skip if: You want a high-energy brunch, heavy comfort food, or a cocktails-first, party-style outing — nearby spots like Girl & The Goat or Manuela fit that better.
Zinc Cafe & Market
8.3
Zinc Café & Bar is an all-day Arts District café and market known for vegetable-forward plates, breakfast staples, and a shaded garden patio. Locals bring their dogs for lingering brunches and casual meetups on the olive tree–lined terrace that feels more like a neighborhood courtyard than a sidewalk café.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado Toast, French Toast, Burrito Bowl
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A leafy, dog-friendly garden patio attached to an all-day café and market.
Who should go: Brunch lovers who want to linger with their dogs.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or late afternoon when the patio hums.
What to order: Avocado toast, French toast, burrito bowl.
Insider tip: Ask for a patio table along the back wall for the most shade and dog space.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Mateo and adjacent blocks is the norm; meters can be competitive during peak brunch hours, but mornings before 10am often have open spots. No valet.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed; athleisure, jeans, and daytime fits are all common. Light layers recommended if sitting on the shaded patio.
Noise level: Moderate; the garden patio has steady chatter but you can comfortably hold a conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: Zinc closes early, so dinner crowds aren’t an issue; late-afternoon patio traffic can create a 10–20 minute wait.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait; you may queue briefly to order, but patio tables turn quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent—many of the most popular items (bowls, salads, avocado toast) are already vegetarian-forward.
Vegan options: Good—several vegan dishes plus modifiable salads and bowls; staff is comfortable suggesting swaps.
Gluten-free options: Moderate—some bowls and salads are GF or can be adapted, but baked goods are limited; no dedicated GF prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual daytime dates—its sunny patio and relaxed café atmosphere make conversation easy, though it’s less suitable for a romantic evening since it closes early.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Zinc is counter-service and walk-in only. Arrive slightly before peak brunch hours for the best patio seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families often stop in for breakfast or lunch. The patio offers space for strollers, though there are no dedicated kid menus or play areas.
Best For
Better for: Daytime patio hangs, vegetable-forward dishes, and dog-friendly brunches in a shaded garden setting.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, late-night hours, or a more elevated, chef-driven brunch experience.