A quaint, family-owned and operated fine dining restaurant located only a few minutes from the beach in Downtown Ventura, California. Experience one of the area's hidden treasures for food lovers nestled inside a cozy 1930s cottage. Cafe Zack combines sophisticated gourmet cuisine with the comfortable atmosphere of home, ideal for any dining occasion.
Our eclectic menu uses locally sourced produce and features house specialties-such as Tellicherry peppercorn encrusted Filet Mignon-in addition to fresh seafood and a variety of savory creations sure to satisfy every palate. Our exceptional wine cellar boasts local boutique vintners as well as Sonoma and Napa Valley's finest selections.
Our eclectic menu uses locally sourced produce and features house specialties-such as Tellicherry peppercorn encrusted Filet Mignon-in addition to fresh seafood and a variety of savory creations sure to satisfy every palate. Our exceptional wine cellar boasts local boutique vintners as well as Sonoma and Napa Valley's finest selections.
Services
Hector Gomez arrived in Ventura in 1992 with the dream of one day owning his own restaurant. It took eight years of hard work and determination before his dream was fully realized. In that time, Hector learned every facet of the restaurant business, from dish-washing to management. He worked as a server and manager seven days a week for many years, cultivating the fine art of customer service.
Reviews (19)
Skyler G.
Jan 30, 2022
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Over the past year I've been eating here the service at Cafe Zack has always been on point. Tonight I ordered a ribeye medium rare and while my steak came out a little more done than I'd like it, they insisted on preparing me a new steak with sides and everything. The waiter watched me cut into the new steak making sure that everything was right before leaving to help others.
What we ate:
his: ribeye steak with bearnaise sauce paired with obsidian ridge cabernet sauvignon
hers: roasted butternut squash soup and pasta a la checca with shrimp
for dessert: chocolate pie with pecan crust
What we ate:
his: ribeye steak with bearnaise sauce paired with obsidian ridge cabernet sauvignon
hers: roasted butternut squash soup and pasta a la checca with shrimp
for dessert: chocolate pie with pecan crust
Jim S.
Jan 21, 2022
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Tom L.
Jan 11, 2022
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Nick S.
Jan 07, 2022
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A buddy and I went there mid December and to put it simply this is one of the best places to grab a steak. The owner is awesome and chatting with him during dinner made the experience that much better. My buddy who I went with recently sent me a text saying he just finished a dry aged ribeye from Larsens in the collection and it didn't even compete with the ribeye he had at Zacks. Looking forward to going back.
Andrew N.
Dec 27, 2021
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Cafe Zack was premium as hell and we had an incredible dinner here several nights ago! First off, do yourself a favor and get the sacks! The sachiettis in truffle sauce appetizer is enough reason to come here alone! I could eat a huge bowl of sacks and call it a day, but alas we moved on to enjoy our entrees as well.
The only hiccup was the slow kitchen, but it was understandable due to the holiday crowd and time required to make the type of meals they offer. Our server, Matt, did an incredible job of keeping the wine flowing, making hilarious yet tasteful commentary, and being an all around
The only hiccup was the slow kitchen, but it was understandable due to the holiday crowd and time required to make the type of meals they offer. Our server, Matt, did an incredible job of keeping the wine flowing, making hilarious yet tasteful commentary, and being an all around
Leroy S.
Dec 04, 2021
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Pros: service was exceptional! Wine great.
Cons: We had the Mahi mahi and the duck breast both were quite plain and bland. Particularly for being house specials, these plates were a big disappointment. Just to drive this point home, the food tastes like what I would make at home, and that's not saying much.
Cons: We had the Mahi mahi and the duck breast both were quite plain and bland. Particularly for being house specials, these plates were a big disappointment. Just to drive this point home, the food tastes like what I would make at home, and that's not saying much.
Mary W.
Nov 12, 2021
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Suzanne Y.
Oct 11, 2021
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Kurt B.
Sep 18, 2021
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Richard W.
Aug 28, 2021
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Quaint restaurant house gives you an intimate feel, like you're going to a relatives summer backyard BBQ. However, mediocre service - a few things missed here and there, and the outdoor seating area was a little too cramped for comfort.
Lobster corn
Super soft and succulent shrimp like, but softer and plump. This was absolutely delicious and clearly the best offering of the night.
Tuscany Salad
With pear and walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette - beautiful presentation. Pears a bit on the raw side.
Veal piccata
Some chewy notes with butter piccata lemon sauce
Tender veal well absorbed
Lobster corn
Super soft and succulent shrimp like, but softer and plump. This was absolutely delicious and clearly the best offering of the night.
Tuscany Salad
With pear and walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette - beautiful presentation. Pears a bit on the raw side.
Veal piccata
Some chewy notes with butter piccata lemon sauce
Tender veal well absorbed
Thomas B.
Aug 21, 2021
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Jeff H.
Aug 19, 2021
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I can't believe my wife and I have been coming to Cafe Zack for so many years and I have not written Hector and his crew a review. All the wine dinners we've enjoyed here, all the special date nights we've enjoyed here and the most special wine dinner/date night of all is we got engaged at Cafe Zack!
Throughout COVID, we've tried to support our special restaurants and Cafe Zack was our go to place for hamburgers to go! Now that we can eat on the patio, we returned for a date night and we were not disappointed. My wife had her favorite, the duck breast and I had my favorite
Throughout COVID, we've tried to support our special restaurants and Cafe Zack was our go to place for hamburgers to go! Now that we can eat on the patio, we returned for a date night and we were not disappointed. My wife had her favorite, the duck breast and I had my favorite
Jillian S.
Jul 18, 2021
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Susan M.
Jul 17, 2021
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I love, love,love Cafe Zack. Best service, best food, best value. I have been eating there since the 70's. Different owners, of course, but, consistent fabulous food, excellent service, and value. Love Hector's commitment to a wonderful lunch or dining experience. C0me my friends, enjoy a bottle of wine, buttered bread, sunshine, exquisite service and fabulous food.
Mindi M.
Jun 27, 2021
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Michael M.
Jun 19, 2021
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Patrick A.
May 16, 2021
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This was my first time dining here, and what an experience! Hector and his team did an amazing job with our party of six. We sat on the patio which was enjoyable; heaters are placed around the patio in case it cools down a bit. Food selections were plentiful and delicious. I had portions of the halibut and filet mignon, cooked exact as we requested. Enjoy two different wines. They have an extensive wine list and beer selection. Couldn't miss dessert either, yum! Great place to celebrate a birthday, which we did, or enjoy a nice dinner with your mate. Looking forward to visiting again
Nicole M.
Feb 06, 2021
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26th anniversary. Had our first date here. It was Voila Cafe back then. It's changed hands over the years, but never strays from its core that it does well: couple of pastas, couple of meats, couple of apps, all with a little twist that's all it's own.
Always great. Now we have teens we take with us, and they love it.
Order the peppercorn steak, the nightly duck preparation, the pasta de jardin. Start with whatever the night's soup is. Finish with a recommended dessert.
Seating is tight but intimate and romantic.
We always forget how much we like this place until we&apos
Always great. Now we have teens we take with us, and they love it.
Order the peppercorn steak, the nightly duck preparation, the pasta de jardin. Start with whatever the night's soup is. Finish with a recommended dessert.
Seating is tight but intimate and romantic.
We always forget how much we like this place until we&apos
Chris T.
Dec 17, 2020
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A special treat. Ordered dinner for the first time in many years (and first time in pandemic) and the food is still amazing. This restaurant is a prime example of how simple ingredients cooked with expertise can become divine. Matt was very helpful and friendly with our phone order and pick up. I only wish that my wife and I could have enjoyed our anniversary meal in the restaurant, but taking it home was a close second.
