Zen Kitchen: Menu, Hours & Location

Ambiance

The ambiance at Zen Kitchen is very much what you would expect from a restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria. It’s open and airy but elegant. The decor is modern, with lots of white and clean lines. Zen Kitchen feels relaxed and casual but a bit upscale all at the same time. 

The brightness and windows that surround the dining make this such a wonderful spot for breakfast or lunch, but it shouldn’t be overlooked as an elegant dinner venue, too. 

Breakfast 

Zen Breakfast Menu (PDF)

In a hotel like the Waldorf, which doesn’t have many restaurants on site, a place like Zen Kitchen, where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast, is very much appreciated.

The breakfast menu at Zen Kitchen isn’t huge by any measure, but trust us when we say that they have all the bases covered. 

If you’re in the mood for a perfectly prepared egg, lighter fare, bagel, or something more substantial like steak and eggs, Zen Kitchen has you covered. 

The breakfast selections start with classics like eggs benedict with two poached eggs. The classic version is perfection, but you can also add fried chicken or porchetta, both offering a new twist to an old favorite. If you have a substantial appetite for the first meal of the day, steak and eggs are a good option. We love the elevated sides of breakfast potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, and hollandaise sauce that accompanies this dish. 

The breakfast traditionalists in the group will enjoy the American Breakfast, which is organic egg prepared to your liking, potatoes, heirloom tomato, toast, and your choice of breakfast meat, such as applewood bacon. Or, maybe something like a breakfast burrito or breakfast sandwich is more to your taste. 

For lighter fare, guests can enjoy fresh baked goods, like the Chef’s Pastry Basket with three assorted pastries – with a good cup of coffee, it doesn’t get much better than this. Other breakfast favorites that we enjoy include fresh seasonal fruit and berries, avocado toast with tomato jam on multi-grain bread, and stuffed French toast with berry compote.     

Lunch

Zen Lunch Menu (PDF)

In our opinion, the lunch menu at Zen Kitchen feels more like an accompaniment to the breakfast offerings, offering a selection of salads, sandwiches, and bowls for guests who would rather stray a little from the typical breakfast dishes and enjoy food that feels more like brunch than breakfast. 

Dinner 

Zen Dinner Menu (PDF)

Dinner is arguably the most expansive and delicious menu that Zen Kitchen offers. In our opinion, there’s a decent variety, offering everything from American classics to sashimi and dishes that take spice up a notch or two. 

Appetizers & Light Plates

For appetizers, the miso soup with tofu, mushrooms, and scallions is light and perfect. The charred octopus with black garlic is also really good. If you’re someone who likes wings but wants to try something different, the cauliflower tempura with spicy Sriracha aioli is a win. We also really like the Kurobuta pork belly with carrot miso and maple katsu sauce. 

See, we’ve only gotten through the appetizers, and we’re already raving about everything on the menus. 

Sushi, Sashimi, & Nigiri

Zen Kitchen offers a selection of sushi rolls, sashimi, and nigiri. The sushi rolls are classics, like a spicy tuna roll, veggie roll, California roll, and salmon roll. Sashimi and nigiri offerings include tuna, shrimp, roe, octopus, salmon, fluke, and Japanese red snapper. 

Caution Regarding Uncooked Foods of Animal Origin

While they great care in making sure the seafood they serve is of the highest quality, animal-origin foods that are consumed raw do carry a risk of food-borne illness. Individuals who have certain health conditions may be at a higher risk. Thoroughly cooking foods like meat, seafood, and shellfish reduces the risk of food-borne illnesses. 

Asian-Inspired Mains 

While a good portion of the dishes at Zen Kitchen are focused on seasonal American cuisine, one of the places that it shines is with its offerings of Asian-inspired entrees. 

Examples of the great food found on this section of the menu include Icelandic King Salmon with shishito peppers and spring onion, a Spring Garden Yakisoba with asparagus, peas, green garlic, and organic egg, and also a perfectly prepared jidori breast of chicken. 

Steaks & Sides

A little further down the menu is where you’ll find the meat and potatoes at Zen Kitchen. There are Black Angus and American Wagyu steaks offered, with cuts including a NY strip, ribeye, and filet mignon. 

You can choose an accompaniment for your steak, like yuzu chimichurri or rogue smoky blue cheese. Side options include Wagyu fried rice, potato puree, broccolini, and roasted asparagus. 

Dessert 

Zen Dessert Menu (PDF)

The selection of deserts for diners at Zen Kitchen is nothing short of decadent. After you’ve had a meal of amazing food, it’s time to treat yourself to something even more indulgent with one of these desserts. 

There’s the vanilla cheesecake with fresh berries, a warm apple tart, lemon tart, and coconut tapioca pudding with coconut milk and pineapple mango compote. This really is a nice selection, and we like that not every dessert is over the top, gooey, and sweet.  

Wine & Cocktails

We’ve talked about delicious food, like eggs benedict for breakfast and the perfect steak for dinner, but now it’s time to turn the conversation to wine and cocktails. Zen Kitchen does offer a full bar, but you’re not going to find a high-energy cocktail scene here. 

Instead, the mixologists are there to craft drinks, recommend the perfect glass of wine, and make sure you have all the refreshment you need to enjoy your meal – whether that’s a glass of champagne from Russian River Valley, California, or a freshly brewed cup of coffee. 

Wines 

The wine list at Zen Kitchen feels as though it has been very carefully curated. A few selections on the wine list that caught our eye include:

• J Vineyards rosé brut from Russian River Valley
• Casa Magoni Chardonnay, Valle De Guadalupe, Baja Mexico
• Whispering Angel Rosé, Château D’esclans, Côtes De Provence, France
• Daou Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California
• Ponzi Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Illumination, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California

Zen Wine and Cocktails Menu (PDF)

Cocktails & Beers 

Of course, not everyone wants to enjoy their meal with a glass of wine. For you, Zen Kitchen offers some delicious cocktails and beers. 

The cocktails are classics – there isn’t anything too out of the box here, but they’re all really nice cocktails all the same. The Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita with tequila, lime juice, pineapple juice, triple sec, and jalapeno is our favorite. We also like the strawberry basil margarita and the espresso martini. You can’t go wrong with any of these. 

For beers, you get a small but decent selection. There’s Hoppy Times, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Fat Tire Amber Ale, Blue Moon, Corona, and a few others. 

Reservations

Reservations aren’t required, but they are recommended, especially if your party size is more than four to six people. Reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant directly. If you don’t want to wait for a table, don’t wait until the night you want to go to make the reservation. They can get busy enough that you might find yourself waiting for a table. 

Hours

Zen Kitchen is open daily from 6:30 am until 2:30 pm for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is offered from 5 pm until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. The rest of the week, evening service begins at 5:30. 

Location

Zen Kitchen Cafe is located on the third floor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. You can find them at 3752 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV. The hotel offers valet parking for all guests and visitors to the property. 

Check Waldorf Astoria Hotel Rates

Key Takeaways

• Zen Kitchen is a stylish cafe with great service and food 
• The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• The menus offer a great deal of variety, including a mixture of American and Asian fare.
• Don’t forget to explore the wine and cocktails – oh, and the desserts!