Zest in Leipzig

Wenn man mal was exquisites essen möchte in veganer Form, dann unbedingt hier her. Ein Gaumenschmaus und der Service ist sehr aufmerksam. 🥰😘😍

Sehr angenehme Atmosphäre im Restaurant. Die Bedienung war sehr freundlich und man hat sich sehr wohl gefühlt. Das Essen war sehr gehoben und lecker. Auch die Getränke waren gut. Natürlich ist alles etwas teurer, aber es ist eine tolle Erfahrung, einen Abend dort zu verbringen. Trotz der recht kleinen Portionen wird man auf jeden Fall satt

Sehr lecker und sehr sympathisch und danke für den Rezepttipp

Kreatives veganes Essen mit Herz, Seele und Liebe. Wir haben zu zweit das 5 Gänge Menü probiert und somit alle Gerichte auf der Karte bestellt. Wir waren rundherum zufrieden, überrascht, fasziniert und begeistert. Tolle Aromen, reizvolle Kombinationen und schöne Präsentationen. Fast 3 Stunden verwöhnen lassen und genießen in gemütlicher Atmosphäre. Danke für den schönen Abend.

Absolut empfehlenswert! Das beste vegane Restaurant in Leipzig! Ein wirklich außergewöhnliches kulinarisches Erlebnis! Absolut authentisch! Großzügige Portionen und eine unglaubliche Balance von Aromen und Texturen – genau so, wie mit Liebe gekochtes Essen schmecken sollte. Danke, dass ihr die Kreativität am Leben erhaltet!

Das Essen und die Getränke waren vielseitig, lecker und hochwertig. Wir wurden freundlich empfangen und herzlich bedient. Lediglich die ungepolsterten Sitzmöglichkeiten luden nicht zum Verweilen ein.

Ein Geschmackserlebnis was ich so noch nie hatte ist mein Fazit nach dem Besuch im Zest. Die einzelnen Komponenten perfekt aufeinander abgestimmte haben mich bei jedem Gang, des 5 Gänge Menü einfach glücklich gemacht. Ein hervorragender Service, den ich bei dem Preis auch erwarte, hat den Abend perfekt gemacht. Einfach empfehlenswert.

Tolles, hochwertiges, veganes Essen. Entspannter & freundlicher Service. Sehr gelungene Geschmackskompositionen, gute Weinkarte. Man hat nicht einmal das Gefühl, dass man rein vegan isst und der Gaumen bekommt neuen Input 👍👍 Sehr zu empfehlen, unbedingt reservieren!

Unfassbar tolle Karte. Viele sehr kreative und spannende Gerichte, extrem lecker und schön präsentiert. Es ist jedes Mal ein Erlebnis und ich kann den nächsten Besuch kaum erwarten:)

So ein besonderer Ort und immer wieder ein besonderes Erlebnis 💛

Wir hatten zu viert 242 eur auf der Rechnung, ohne Wein. Das ist eine Menge Geld, da haben wir eine gewisse Erwartungshaltung. Diese wurde nicht erfüllt. Das Essen war so mittel, nicht schlecht aber hat keinen auch so wirklich abgeholt. Bei einigen Sachen hatte ich das Gefühl, dass sie nicht wirklich frisch zubereitet wurden, sondern schon eine Weile in der Vorbereitungsküche lagen. Die Rucolablätter auf dem "Gruß aus der Küche" waren welk. Der Service war sehr freundlich, wir kennen das allerdings so, dass bei so "kompliziertem Komponentenessen" beim servieren noch mal angesagt wird, was genau das ist. So mussten wir jeweils noch einmal in der Karte nachlesen. Den eher nicht so guten Eindruck hat die Tatsache abgerundet, dass uns regelmäßig ein eisiger Wind um die Füße wehte.

Was man doch für feine Dinge machen kann ohne die Klassiker aus der Küche. Mein größter Respekt 🙏🏻🤩

Das Zest war wie immer eine tolle Entscheidung. Es ist immer eine Freude dort essen zu gehen auch dieses Mal waren wir wieder sehr zufrieden. Vorallem ein ganz großes Lob an das freundliche Personal. :)

Wir hatten das 5-Gänge Menü mit jeweils unterschiedlichen Gerichten dort wo man wählen musste. Das Essen war gut, aber ich hatte mehr erwartet. Vor allem bei dem Preis. Service ist sehr reserviert. Ich finde es auch schade, dass einem nicht gesagt wird was auf dem Teller ist wenn dieser an den Tisch gebracht wird. Man muss es immer selbst nachlesen. Auch hat die Küche vor allem am Anfang sehr lange gebraucht. Wir haben sehr lange warten müssen. Auch zwischen manchen Gängen hat es recht lange gedauert. Teilweise haben die Komponente meiner Meinung nach nicht so gut miteinander harmoniert und waren zu „fancy“. Um das mal erlebt zu haben war es gut. Aber ich würde nicht wieder kommen.

Ein super Restaurant in einer schrägen Gegend...alles in allem eine positive Überraschung!

Hmm, I don't know what to make of this place. From arrival and being seated to placing my order, it took about 20 minutes, and another 20 minutes for the drinks and then the food to arrive. Exotic, high-priced menu. I only had a hot nectar and dessert (over €12) for a total of around €18. The staff is very rushed, with no sign of professional routine. They're just as loud when handling food as they are talking to the other guests. Cutlery and other items sometimes clatter to the floor while serving and clearing tables. Somehow, the high prices don't match the ambiance. In fact, quiet phone conversations aren't allowed, and you're told quite rudely about it. However, having a conversation with your neighbor at stadium volume is perfectly acceptable. On the one hand, a lively pub atmosphere, on the other, exclusive offerings. A very interesting mix. It was within walking distance of my accommodation, hence my first choice. In hindsight, I've seen that there are other vegan options relatively nearby, and if I'm ever in the area again, I'd probably go somewhere else. Conclusion: I wouldn't go there a second time.

A very small restaurant with incredibly good food. The staff are very polite, courteous, and helpful. Reservations are recommended to get a table. To feel truly satisfied, they suggest ordering 3-4 courses, and yes, you'll definitely feel full and happy afterward. It's not cheap, but it's definitely worth it, and we're already looking forward to the next menu change. It's truly something different, and the interplay of ingredients, preparation, and presentation is amazing. Highly addictive! 🥰

I've been coming here regularly for almost 20 years and have experienced my fair share of ups and downs. In recent years, tired service here, inconsistent timing there, are completely forgotten, but in 2025, Zest will be at a top level. The dishes are creative and well-thought-out, the non-alcoholic drink pairing is absolutely unique and incredibly fun, so much so that wine pairings almost seem boring. The service, one of the biggest criticisms in recent years, has stabilized; today we had a warm, super-approachable waiter who, despite being larger than expected, always kept an overview and was open-hearted and charming in her conversation. The menu was a poem. If you can afford it, we definitely recommend getting the full menu to find out what the crew was thinking when putting it together. Please, Zest, maintain this standard; you certainly don't have to hide from Michelin-starred restaurants. You can't get this kind of quality at this price anywhere in Leipzig right now.

The best vegetarian "star restaurant" in the entire East. Even the ignorant can become a vegetarian here. I've been to many star restaurants, and this one is absolutely unique in its taste. The menu is developed collectively. The non-alcoholic food pairings are highly recommended. The most creative thing I've ever seen. Actually, I wouldn't recommend it at all, because everyone else goes there. At least once in a quarter.

Delicious vegetarian cuisine, with many surprising spices and combinations of ingredients. A real discovery.

A complete culinary surprise that four of us experienced yesterday. An explosion of flavors spread across our palates after we had literally eaten our way through the entire menu. The ability to choose from a variety of dishes and then share it among ourselves allowed us to try everything. Since the individual courses were served with sufficient distance between us, there was plenty of time to chat in a relaxed atmosphere with our older children. In keeping with the ambiance, the service was also super friendly and accommodating. Advance ordering is essential, given the variety of dishes alone. Here, even the visual appearance of the food was lovingly presented. All in all, a highlight in Leipzig.

I'm still speechless - but in a good way. :-) We ate there on July 17th and ordered the July/August 2025 menu. The food not only tastes absolutely fantastic, but also takes you on a true journey of taste... and it's also a feast for the eyes. :-) Simply fantastic. Really. I can't say it enough. Also, the service was very friendly and personable. :-)

It's barely changed over the years, except that the food has become even more refined. Always a wonderful experience!

A wonderful evening with superbly delicious food. A vegan 3-course menu with accompanying drinks. The dishes were superbly composed, beautifully presented, and made with high-quality ingredients. The service was very relaxed and friendly. If you're ever in Leipzig again, you'll definitely want to head to Zest.

This restaurant truly offers a culinary experience! The creations are extremely creative, the interplay of sweetness and acidity is super exciting and simply delicious! The exterior (ice cream tables and chairs outside) certainly doesn't suggest the sophisticated, sophisticated cuisine that lies beneath, so don't let that put you off! The interior, with its simple industrial style, is more in keeping with that. The service was extremely friendly. We had a truly wonderful evening, thank you very much!

With every visit, you are pleasantly surprised by the variety of dishes/flavors/textures and can simply enjoy the wonderful service.

Ottimo ristorante vegano che propone piatti ricercati anche con menù degustazione. Non economico ma effettivamente dietro og i piatto c'è molta lavorazione.

Amazing, one of the best restaurants

A visit to Zest is always a highlight. The staff is very attentive, the service is excellent, and the food is always incredibly delicious and unique. I always enjoy coming back.

It was a wonderful experience. Exquisite culinary creations, expertly prepared. Truly excellent table service with a lovely sense of humor. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thank you so much.

A complete rip-off: outrageously high prices for tiny portions of strange "dishes" with pretentious names that suggest fine dining – pure charlatanry. Elsewhere, such micro-portions would be called an "amuse-bouche." The ambiance is very basic, the server sits down at your table to take your order and addresses you informally. The hallway to the restroom is dirty and covered in graffiti, and the restroom itself is on par with a low-class pub. Only recommend this place to people you don't like.

We are regulars and eat at Zest many times a year, which is why I feel it's important to see some things improved. The food: Definitely very good and well-thought-out dishes that I couldn't easily recreate at home. We usually enjoy most of the dishes, though there are occasional minor missteps. The service: There are some very good servers and some very bad ones, and it's a shame that there's such a wide range. Management should strive to ensure that the service meets a certain standard so that all servers adapt to the restaurant, and not the other way around. The very good servers are courteous, attentive, can explain the dishes well, and are quick. The bad servers forget orders, can't explain the food, are slow, and inattentive. I've experienced quite a few things, for example, a server who, after clearing a table, drank the contents of a not-quite-empty bottle of water right at the bar in front of all the guests. That's fine, but it shouldn't be done in front of the guests. The ambiance: The chairs and backrests are uncomfortable, the temperature is almost always wrong—either too cold or too warm—the air often feels bone dry, and the restrooms unfortunately smell really unpleasant. The value for money: If I only consider the food and drinks, then the value for money would be acceptable, but since other aspects like service and ambiance aren't always up to par, it's not okay. It's fine dining, but more like a small pub than a proper restaurant. The organization and planning: This is what bothers me most. The menu changes every few months; the last one was available from January to March. The new menu is supposed to run from April to June, but it's never implemented on time. If I reserve a table for early April because I want to try the new menu, I often have no chance during the first two weeks because the new menu is launched late again. Planning is sometimes impossible, and we've had to cancel our reservation at short notice many times because the new menu wasn't available and we didn't want to order the old one again. I also don't understand why this isn't handled more professionally; after all, the restaurant is losing revenue. Frequency of menu changes: It would be better to have a menu every two months again; then we would come back more often. I don't want to order from the same menu more than once. That also costs revenue, which is why I don't quite understand why it was changed this way. Overall conclusion: The dishes are almost always excellent, but many other things aren't right. Overall, the restaurant seems to be run without any care (even if it isn't), as if, after more than 20 years, it's lacking a fresh, professional approach. The restrooms, the ambiance, the occasional service issues, and the lack of predictability are increasingly diminishing our enthusiasm for visiting.

Unfortunately, I'm not feeling the place at all. The value for money, in terms of portion size, quality, and creativity, doesn't match the fine dining experience. The draft beer was good, and the service staff was friendly. Unfortunately, that doesn't change anything if the actual food isn't up to scratch. A main course from the multi-course menu costs from €22 and is more like an appetizer in size. I expect more for the price. I think there are better places for vegan food. Well, we had a pizza afterward.

Great food with excellent service. It's simply a pleasure to try. The only drawback is that there are only two dishes to choose from per course. But they're delicious.

The food is still good, creative and diverse. However, the portions are now really (really!) too small. The prices are correspondingly far too high and the service, despite being friendly, is too slow. 3 hours for 3 courses is far too long - unfortunately.

Somehow an absolute failure, not good service (empty glasses were not cleared away, one bottle of wine was overcharged, inattentive staff and hardly any explanation of the dishes). And last but not least, my companion also had an upset stomach and had to really struggle with it for several days. A similar atmosphere can be found in numerous other places in the city, with zero risk of repetition.

Unfortunately no recommendation. Service was unfortunately very unfriendly and sometimes slow for the price. The food could have been easily cooked at home, so unfortunately nothing special (especially for the price!) Drinks were ok, but nothing extraordinary either. Even though everything is vegan, unfortunately it's only average and for the price it's a 1/10. For 1/4 the price this might be okay; So unfortunately I was very disappointed :/.

We were pleasantly surprised - good and fast service and delicious menus

Can't rate the food or ambience. We want to give our vegetarian friend a meal for six. There lies the problem. Online reservation only for up to five people. More only by phone. Tried it six times, during opening hours of course. Without a chance. An email asking for a call back, no response. Then finally, yay someone answers the phone, but more than a hello, and then seven minutes of kitchen noises and kitchen radio, that's it. For us too. We have found a different restaurant for which service and accessibility are no strangers

Absolutamente me encantó la experiencia! El ambiente era acogedor, y el personal era muy amable. Cada plato que probamos estaba lleno de sabor, especialmente la pasta de autor. ¡No puedo esperar a volver por más!

Look forward to unusual, exquisite vegan cuisine! The staff was very friendly and responded to all questions and requests. The interior is simple but chic at the same time and you can also see the charm of the district. The system with the changing menu or menus always invites you to visit. Here you can spend wonderful hours and enjoy a variety of tastes.

Sind wiederholt ins Zest gegangen. Die Faszination lebt! Tolle Küche, eine kompetenter und gaaanz lieber Service durch Ariane, immer wieder! Toller Geschmack, kreative und geschmacksintensive Küche, man muss nicht immer Fleisch haben. Kurzum: ein sehr sehr gutes veganes Restaurant auch für Fleischesser!

Okay, das Positive zuerst: Die Qualität der Speisen ist hervorragend. Leider war es das dann aber auch schon. Die Temperatur im inneren folgt leider der dem Außenbereich, sodass die meisten Gäste die Daunendecken und Mützen gleich an ließen. Die Einrichtung lässt es leider auch nicht warm werden, denn sie ist lieblos und spartanisch. Selbst der Charme der Bedienung hat Kühlschrank Niveau, den ganzen Abend kein einziges Lächeln. Da fragt man sich wo die Freude am Beruf geblieben ist. Bei diesen Preisen braucht es definitiv etwas mehr als gute Küche, leider haben wir nichts gefunden. Unser Fazit: nie wieder, gut essen kann man auch wo anders.

Very delicious, special dishes. It was a delight. Thank you very much.

I wouldn't go back. The food is okay, but nothing special. For the price, I find it too simple and boring. I definitely expected more sophistication and something new. The service and atmosphere were rather cold and impersonal, I agree with the other reviews. What a shame!

The Zest restaurant was once, until my last visit in October 2024, one of my absolute favorites among the vegan restaurants in Leipzig, Saxony and Germany. Unfortunately, the price-performance ratio has become very negative. The prices were always higher, but that was okay given the high level of quality and sophistication and the still filling size of the food. Unfortunately the menu has been revised (my penultimate visit 2020/21) and you only have the choice between two menus, which cost a minimum of €42 (2 courses) per person. 5 courses then cost €78 per person. The portion sizes are simply too small for these prices and the taste “wow effect” like Zest used to have was also missing. We weren't full after 3 courses, but we didn't feel like paying any more money for these very, very small portions. In addition, the waiter's comments to another guest were simply incredibly rude, arrogant and rude. The guest (vegetarian) made a funny comment about the size of the portions, to which the waiter replied that he (the guest) could go to the chicken grill across the street. Wow, and that statement in a vegan restaurant! That doesn't work at all! This meant that another visit was and is no longer up for debate. Considering that you now pay twice as much money for half the amount of food, at least the toilets haven't been renovated and still look as shabby as the hallway you have to cross to get there.

The wine foam dome with berry-grape glaze provided an intense moment of enjoyment that left me in a state of long-lasting satisfaction after consumption.

I was looking forward to the evening and the many good reviews made me confident. But I have to say, even though the food was presented and prepared very beautifully and lovingly and there were some highlights (the wafer-thin pear chip, for example), it didn't really appeal to me from a culinary point of view. In the end, I felt there was a lack of intensity in taste and expression, especially when it came to the interaction of the individual components. Unfortunately, for the price, it didn't convince me enough to come back. The ambience also seems quite cold and uninviting. The service staff were very friendly, but sometimes seemed a bit unsure when dealing with the guests.

We were at Zest for the Christmas party with 9 people and a pre-ordered menu. The food was OK, but not outstanding. Not to be compared with other restaurants in Leipzig in the price category if you have a little idea. Unfortunately the service was really bad. Ignorant and unfriendly when asked. Three waiters for 4 occupied tables. Upon request, the drinks accompanying the menu were only served for each course when it had almost been eaten. Upon request, we were able to order an aperitif, which lasted 20 minutes and was then accompanied by the wine to accompany the first course. There was also an inappropriate comment from the waiters about whether you had to drink wine, champagne and beer together. Unfortunately the last time was Zest, as the completely overpriced food didn't make up for the poor service.

There were three of us at Zest and we really wanted to treat ourselves! So we not only treated ourselves to the 5-course menu, but also all 8 courses that were on the menu - including the drink pairing, of course! Because why “or” when you can also choose “and”! 😊 There was also a free starter to get you in the mood. Yes, and what can you say? It was a culinary masterpiece! The individual courses were tasty and full of sophistication, the matching alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink compositions for each course were exceptional, and the desserts were a poem in two intoxicating acts. You could write detailed novels about the individual courses here, but anyone who likes sophisticated and experimental cuisine must have been here at least once. Great cinema. The service was a bit spotty at times, but always friendly and willing to provide information. Thank you and see you soon.

An incomparable culinary experience! The dishes were visually works of art, and their taste and consistency were also indescribably good. For me as a meat eater, it was an excellent, surprising and delicious meal that kept me full for a long time. Plus friendly and competent staff. So I highly recommend it if you want to treat yourself to something special.

We had dinner at Zest yesterday. The vegan dishes were extremely unusual and refined. Tasted very tasty. I have to agree, but in quantity they don't go beyond a small appetizer! You have to choose at least 3 dishes! However, the price was quite high and the atmosphere was unfortunately not suitable. Chairs are very uncomfortable, the whole thing is very narrow! The Zest is simply a special experience, but we wouldn't go there again!

Charming little restaurant. Despite the high standard, the atmosphere is completely relaxed and unpretentious. The food was amazing. The service was very friendly and flexible. The only small criticism was that the toilet couldn't be locked, which made it very unpleasant to use.

Great place for vegan cuisine. Next level vegan dishes. Fantastic service. Great value for money. Definitely worth it. Will be back again. Thanks for a great evening.

Wonderful restaurant with great cuisine. We were thrilled with the food and also the drinks. I can only warmly recommend the restaurant!

The Zest offers exceptional vegan menus, flavor combinations that you don't know yet or ways of preparation that you would have thought of now. Overall, everything tastes super interesting and very good, and the price is perfectly reasonable for the level. The only tiny drawback, the chairs are a bit uncomfortable, but fits the industrial style of the shop.

Always outstanding food. Best vegan restaurant within at least 100km

One of the best experiences in Leipzig. Food is amazing. Definitely recommend taking the 5 course meal. 10/10 great everything

Eating at Zest today was extraordinary. It's way more than regular food. I can only recommend that everybody give it a try. It's for sure one of best meals I ever had (note that I don't said "best vegan meals"). Mad respect for you guys

Plus: The food was very tasty and special. Negative: unfriendly service, no explanations of the menu (a no-go given the high prices), not a particularly nice atmosphere, you almost feel “out of place” in what is a very left-wing district, keyword gentrification, when we arrived there was no one there , who greeted us and the toilet is more reminiscent of an ugly train station toilet. The overall picture is not correct here. No recommendation

Every course is a visually and tastefully great surprise.

It is very difficult to "rate" a visit to Zest. First of all, the food was great! Except the greeting from the kitchen. Of course it is expensive but you know that before you visit. What really bothered us was the very impersonal and almost unfriendly service. We were treated very, very coldly and only when we drew attention to ourselves...a shame. The ambience and atmosphere are not inviting and do not reflect the great dishes at all. Conclusion: Unfortunately, we won't be visiting Zest again because we just didn't feel comfortable.

Wer Sterne-verdächtiges Menü in vegan möchte, ist hier genau richtig. Das schmackhafte, gut zusammengestellte Menü, begleitet von einer ausgesprochen gut passenden Wein.Begleitung hat überzeugt.

Best service ever and absolutely gorgeous food. We will be back to try more!

The Zest is the only notable restaurant in Connewitz, but it also has to take a lot of criticism. If you are looking for a modern restaurant with very creative and vegan cuisine in a beautiful, rustic-chic atmosphere, you have come to the right place. Zest is a very small restaurant, so making a reservation ensures you get a seat. The time slots offered are of course very inflexible and are more of a relief for the restaurant, but not for the guests. The menu has a manageable overview of various, very creative dishes, for which inexperienced people need translation assistance for half of the food ingredients. All dishes are very expensive and, as it turns out, very minimalistic on the plate. With a three-course meal you will most likely not be full, but you will get your money's worth in terms of cuisine and price. For three dishes (one of them dessert) it costs around €50 plus drinks, which are also quite expensive. I find it difficult when the food at these prices is served on chipped dishes. Yes, it is sustainable to use even defective dishes, but unfortunately it doesn't fit the price. A good impression will also not be left if individual components of the selected dishes cannot be served because they are currently “out” or the wine has now run out. With a small menu, I expect that “stock” goods in particular will be replenished in a timely manner so that this does not become a reason for complaints. The service was super friendly and recommended great alternatives. We sat outside to eat, the background noise was ok, even if the train was running right in front of the door. Sitting on the chairs is also rather ok, less comfortable, it is quite narrow and the room for movement is mediocre. The toilets are actually a bigger drawback. The way there leads through a dingy stairwell, into a dark, rudimentary toilet room without a mirror. Described in a friendly way, it fits Connewitz, but is not in proportion to the prices. All in all, the prices are the deciding factor as to why we only come here very, very rarely. Unfortunately, the lack of bells and whistles makes it more and more less attractive overall. A pity.

Given the price, it's certainly not for every day, but you can treat yourself to a special occasion. We had the five courses and the taste was excellent. Perfect, thank you very much!

Unfassbar lecker, liebevoll zubereitet. Wir haben fast alle Speisen probiert. Alle sehr lecker und liebevoll angerichtet. Auch der Rosé war köstlich.

Absolutely recommended, especially with wine accompaniment!

Very good and creative food at fair prices. The service was also very good. We recommend

Great vegan restaurant. Perfect service

One of the best vegan experiences ever!

A culinary adventure! Highly recommended, and the Italian waiter was also very nice.

I was surprised. I didn't expect it to be so delicious to eat. The cocktails were very pleasant and we noticed that the employees worked there with conviction, with a lot of fun and attention to detail, responding to every guest's request and being totally kind. Thank you for this pleasant evening yesterday

Terrific!! Reservations are mandatory here, but then enjoy the wonderful vegetarian and vegan dishes, which are also beautifully prepared!

Anyone who believes that there can be no upscale, vegan cuisine has never been to Zest in Leipzig. We had the 5 course menu with wine accompaniment. Every course was a visual and tasteful culinary highlight. The price level is absolutely reasonable. Friendly young people are doing great things there. If we are in Leipzig again, we would like to come back.

Very delicious food and great wine suggestions and service

We chose the vegan 5-course menu with the special drink accompaniment. We were very impressed by the quality and creativity of the dishes! The service was extremely friendly, casual and accommodating! Overall really recommended!

An extraordinary culinary experience! The variety , sophistication and sheer beauty of the five courses we ate were remarkable; the flavours were surprising and wonderful. Quietly spoken, unobtrusive but very knowledgeable staff, always prepared to engage and explain dishes and thoughtful wine recommendations at length, contributed much to a singular evening. You may well have never eaten such food! Summa cum laude!

The quality of the food is very good. Unfortunately (especially in winter) you can only choose menu options. The quantities, even in the 5-course menu, repeatedly didn't fill me up. In winter, regardless of where you sit, it is very cold in the room and drafts like pike soup! My companion ordered a non-alcoholic drink and received an alcoholic drink instead. That doesn't work! Especially at such an expensive restaurant. LG :-)

It's certainly not a restaurant for everyone, but if you want to treat yourself to something special for a special occasion, you've come to the right place. The dishes are chosen from 2 different menus, each with 4 main courses and 2 desserts. To fill you up normally, I would recommend at least 3 courses, the price here is already over €50. There was also a greeting from the kitchen. But you got something for the price, the dishes were perfectly put together and seasoned down to the smallest detail.

First of all, you can say that all the dishes were really, really tasty. The concept of ordering takes some getting used to, and the prices are very high (min. 42€ for 2 courses). But anyone who wants to try something special will be thrilled. Definitely not just suitable for vegans either.

Unfortunately, you can no longer order individual dishes, possibly with dessert, in this restaurant. There are only 5-course menus, but the courses can also be reduced. We did this too (2 out of 3 people reduced the courses to 3). However, the waiter loudly informed guests at the next table, disrupting our own conversation, that they should have 5 courses because they were manageable. But there were also guests who only chose 4 courses (oh dear, that was a significant devaluation of our reduction). Otherwise, the waiter tried to explain everything to us in great detail. In the end I made exactly the right choice and was full and satisfied. My husband was less happy with his selection. Our daughter said that she could easily have done without the additional two courses, as the quantity and quality of these two courses did not meet her requirements. In my opinion, the price-performance ratio is very marginal, and the prices often seem to be chosen arbitrarily. We were very happy with our warm juice spritzer, whereas a lemonade with cider as a base that was almost twice as expensive was only served in a relatively small glass. The tables in the room are very close together, making it difficult to get past other guests. I had a view of a mountain of tea towels that had been spread out to dry and the kitchen staff was taking out new ones every now and then to polish the glasses. The room is dominated by a huge fan on the ceiling, which produces an incredible amount of cold but, according to the waiter, cannot be turned off. I just froze in my seat, especially my back felt strongly. How lucky it was that it was no longer wintery outside. Other guests felt the same way and were then given blankets to put over their thighs. I would have needed one in the back, but I wouldn't have been able to eat there. But there was another improvement: the toilets. They were reached via a semi-dark, littered backyard. There wasn't even a mirror in the ladies' room. I have never experienced such miserable toilets in my decades-long life. In contrast to our last visit about 4 years ago, the audience has also changed. Young people are rarely able to pay the very high prices. People our age expect at least an atmosphere appropriate to this. There were significantly fewer guests... I won't go to this restaurant again. Very unfortunate...

Veganer Essen auch für Fleischesser ein großes Erlebnis. Hier passt alles: wunderbare Gerichte, fein abgestimmte Geschmäcker, auch fürs Auge perfekt präsentiert, das ganze von einem super liebevollen, kompetentem Team serviert, ich liebe es!

I've enjoyed coming to Zest for years. The food is always very tasty and you can tell that a lot of effort and love goes into the details. From the service to the last sweet dessert, it's simply perfect for a culinary excursion!

Very sophisticated, top-class vegetarian cuisine. The ambience needs some improvement. Very friendly service.

Super tasty and amazing what a variety there is 😀

Great food for many years with a changing menu every few months. Each time I have been very satisfied, happy and full. I regularly eat foods there that I didn't know anything about before - and the chefs usually manage to create very tasty flavor combinations, even with strange plants/plant parts, mushrooms or other vegan ingredients. Based on some negative reviews, the new menu concept doesn't seem to be well received or understood. Finally, it was no problem to order individual dishes from the menu; The portions were a little larger than in the menu, so that you were full with the starter and main course at a not overpriced price. A reservation is usually necessary. The interior is small and somewhat minimalistic (some would say bare). In the warmer months you can sit outside and see what's going on on the Bornaische. The staff is different: friendly, professional, rude, rude, fast, slow... it depends a bit and I think it's secondary to the really great food. I would generally recommend a visit.

The food wasn't really great, but it was pretty special. It tasted okay, but for the price it wasn't worth it at all. For example, I took a cauliflower dish and it just tasted like cauliflower, which is what you expect from a cauliflower haha There was something sour underneath that tasted very vinegary and wasn't my cup of tea. The rest of the plate didn't really taste like much. The dessert was delicious, but there were yellow-brownish things on it that tasted like methane smells. As you can probably tell from my review, I don't know much about fancier restaurants, but to be honest I still want to keep my lack of knowledge. We had to pay €400 for a total of 8 people. The waiter was very friendly and accommodating. The ambience is nothing special, just a room with tables, benches and chairs and a huge ceiling fan. Overall it was okay, but never again. If you want to try vegan fine dining, you can definitely do that. But if you want to eat something really worthwhile, then it's better not to.

Zest is a very special experience. The dishes are created with a lot of creativity and dedication. Everyone should have this experience and open themselves to this vegan, unconventional cuisine to expand their awareness of food.

Absolute top address for vegan fine dining. There are two different menus to choose from, from which you can choose between two and five courses. Matching wines or non-alcoholic drinks are recommended. Our meal was fantastic.

Outstanding creative food and a superb menu. Terrific skillful cooking across all courses and topped by the brilliant service. Fluent English but so kind and fun happy to speak in my halting but slowly returning German and brilliantly explained the menu, recommended wine and served all evening long. Over ten nights and days in some great cities and some of the coolest and most on point and exciting new restaurants in Europe, Zest shone through! Vielen danke!

Das beste Restaurant in Leipzig meiner Meinung nach. Für Vegetarier, Veganer und alle anderen auf jeden Fall einen Besuch wert für unvergleichliche Geschmackserlebnisse. Die Bedienung ist sehr aufmerksam und kompetent, das Ambiente könnte etwas gemütlicher sein aber es sitzt sich trotzdem schön. Ich werde mit Sicherheit oft wiederkommen!

Meine Schwester fragte, ob es die Karte auch auf deutsch gibt. Sie war auf deutsch und überrascht, welche Speisen es auf dieser Welt gibt. Das Essen war ein Traum. Jeder Gang hat den nächsten getoppt. Die Kreationen und Geschmackskombinationen waren überwältigend. Alles vegan, frisch zubereitet, keine verarbeiteten Lebensmittel. Das Essen ist jeden Cent wert und für das, was man bekommt noch fast zu günstig. Lieben Gruß an die Küche!

Wir waren letzte Woche im Zest Essen. Leider war es auch das letzte Mal. Hier stimmt Preis und Leistung überhaupt nicht. Für eine Vorspeise und ein "Hauptgericht" 38,-€ !!! Wobei jedes Hauptgericht nicht über eine Vorspeise rausging. Es war schön angerichtet und es hat auch geschmeckt. Das war's aber auch. Besteck bitte für alle Gerichte behalten und Arschkalt war es auch. Unsere Frauen haben dann auch die bereitgelegten Decken genutzt!! Ja und die Toilette..... machen sie sich selber ein Bild. Für uns war's das. Leider !! Das Schild hing im übrigen am Nachbargeschäft, ist aber für mich irgendwie passend. Leider !!

Rezensionen löschen ist nicht cool! Sorry Leute. 50€ für zwei Bier und zwei absolut durchschnittliche „advanced vegan cuisine“ essen. Kam auch keine Person an den Tisch um zu fragen wie es schmeckt. It‘s been a sad goodbye

Dem ZEST eilt ein guter Ruf voraus. Davon wollten wir uns einfach mal selber überzeugen. Also ein "Blind Date" in jeder Hinsicht, sowohl die Speisen als auch Location und den Service betreffend. Der Gastraum ist übersichtlich, die Möblierung korrespondiert mit den blanken Ziegelwänden. Im großen Fenster zur Straße hin liegen ein paar Stapel Decken (die auch gebraucht werden, denn die Temperaturen im Gastraum folgen wohl sehr strikten Energiesparmaßnahmen...) Wir haben durchgehend gefroren. Entgegen unserer Erwartung Speisen à la carte auswählen zu können, wird uns mitgeteilt, dass aus zwei angebotenen 5-Gänge Menüs mindestens zwei Gänge "Pflicht" sind. Der Inflation geschuldet? Mit Verlaub aus unserer Sicht unseriös. Zu den Speisen: durchgehend ein Genuss - da gibt es nichts zu meckern, wenngleich die warmen Speisen auch etwas wärmer hätten sein können. Fazit: Wir sind keine Veganer, machen aber gerne Ausflüge in "fremde" Küchen. Vom Ausflug ins ZEST sind wir mit der Erkenntnis zurückgekehrt, dass wir leider keine Empfehlung geben können, auch wenn der Gast zur Begrüßung ungefragt geduzt wird.

In 50 Jahren habe ich glaube ich nie eine schlechtere Gastro betreten: eiskalter Raum, Höllenlärm, trotz Reservierung keine Vorwarnung, dass es nur die Wahl zwischen 2 Menüs gibt (ab 38,- Mindestumsatz pro Person für 2 Gänge, 3 Gänge dann 49,-) Die Menüs waren nicht unser Fall ( 5 Personen), auf Nachfrage ob man innerhalb der Menüs variieren kann kam ein überhebliches „ dass müssen sie entscheiden, sie hören ja auch keine Synphonie von Mahler und den zweiten Satz von Tschaikowski.. der Koch hat sich was dabei gedacht, aber der Kunde ist natürlich König..!“ An dem Punkt hätte mir eigentlich schon der Appetit vergangen sein müssen, war auch eigentlich so – da es ein Familien Essen war, haben wir dann bestellt ( Eine Person hat drauf verzichtet, da er nichts von der Karte finden konnte) und nach akzeptabler Wartezeit kamen die ersten „Portionen“. Das mickrige auf dem Teller wäre allerdings nicht so schlimm gewesen, wenn die Komposition denn geschmeckt hätte. Ein paar Sachen haben wirklich gut geschmeckt, vieles war aber zu süß, zu kalt oder hatte Sensorisch unangenehme Konsistenzen. Uns war schnell klar, dass es bei den zwei Gängen, die man bestellen musste, bleibt. In der Zwischenzeit waren wir dermaßen Verfroren, als ob wir 2 Stunden auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt gestanden hätten. Heute bin ich erkältet. Wir waren gespannt und wurden enttäuscht. Zudem muss man anmerken, dass es verwundert wieso ein so dekadenter Laden in dem Kiez bestehen kann. Für die 200 € hätte man mehrere Familien satt machen können. Wie geht es wohl weniger um Essen als um sehen und gesehen werden und die Befriedigung des eigenen Snobs-Appeals.

Ich würde mehr Sterne geben wenn ich könnte. Das Zest ist eine Instanz, ich hab noch nirgendwo so gut gegessen wie hier, ob vegan oder nicht. Tausend Dank an das Team das wir eine Lösung finden konnten obwohl wir aus gesundheitlichen Gründen zur Zeit nicht im Restaurant essen können.

Netter Abend! Leckeres Essen, super freundlich, glutenfrei klappt bestens. Zwei Menüs mit 5 Gängen, die maximal flexibel gestaltet werden (hatten 3 Gänge und dabei bewusst auf Nachtisch verzichtet). Nicht nur für Veganer geeignet sondern für alle die gerne und lecker Essen.

Unglaublich lecker Unglaublich vielfältig Unfassbar gut 😊 ich kann nur eines dazu sagen 🤔 Geht da nicht hin Sonnst gibt es keinen Platz mehr für mich 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊