Now Open, Zakia Brings Its Spin on Lebanese Cuisine to Buckhead

Zakia, the latest restaurant from Ryan and Jonathan Akly and chef Ian Winslade (Mission and Market, Tre Vele), is now open in Buckhead.

Located at the Modera Prominence complex on Lenox Road, and named for the Aklys’ grandmother, Zakia offers a menu which takes culinary inspiration from the family’s roots in Lebanon and from countries throughout the Middle East. Some dishes even center on family recipes, many the brothers remember from childhood while eating at their grandmother’s house.

Look for grape leaves stuffed with lamb, rice, and tomatoes, beef fried kibbeh, kafta kebabs with minced beef and lamb, and a grilled Chilean sea bass dressed with za’atar chermoula. Sides include Lebanese rice and cottage fries tossed in sumac and parsley as well as batata harra (spicy Lebanese layered potatoes) and loubieh (green beans in tomato sauce). The pita oven in the kitchen also bakes fresh breads daily.

At 6,000 square feet, Zakia features seating for just over 200 people between the dining room, bar and lounge, and private dining spaces. A room on the second floor of the restaurant is reserved for larger private events.

Of note, Zakia enforces a dress code, one which requires people to come dressed for dining in a “semi-formal environment.”

“We politely request all guests dress for a semi-formal environment. Sleeveless Shirts, Flip Flops, Hats, Athletic Wear and some T-Shirts are prohibited! Just because it’s a designer, does not mean it’s acceptable,” according to the dress code policy.

“The ‘semi-formal environment’ is stated to match the elevated experience and space that Zakia offers. The dress code was chosen to focus on the level of refinement versus the specific type of clothing, inviting guests to wear attire that reflects the upscale nature of the establishment,” a statement provided to Eater reads when asked for further clarification on the policy, including the types of t-shirts the restaurant would allow. “The dress code is not meant to be exclusionary and it’s just to provide guidance to our guests of appropriate attire when planning to dine at the restaurant.”

Currently, Zakia is only open for dinner. Weekday lunch and Sunday brunch are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Eric Meadows

Eric Meadows

Open Monday - Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Lunch and brunch forthcoming.

3699 Lenox Road. Atlanta. zakiarestaurant.com. Check out the menu here.