Zin Bistro · Lodi's Small, Candlelit Steak & Seafood House

Steak that eats like butter.

Zin Bistro is a cozy, no-frills bistro in Lodi turning out filet mignon, fall-off-the-bone lamb shank, and a steak diane our regulars would sell a kidney for. Call ahead — there are only so many tables.

Find Us722 W Lodi Ave

HoursTue – Sat · 5 – 8:30

Price$$ · Full bar

Small in size.
Generous in every other way.

There isn't much to Zin Bistro — a handful of tables, warm lighting, Jeff and Brian moving easily between the kitchen and the dining room. The space is intentionally intimate, which is why the reservation we'd gently recommend making a couple of hours ahead will still often get you a table.

The cooking is honest bistro work: a filet that disappears before your water is refilled, a lamb shank braised until it surrenders, a steak diane with a sauce that earns its name. The wine list leans local because we live in Lodi, and Lodi makes excellent wine.

ReservationsOutdoor SeatingFull BarWine & CocktailsTakeoutDeliveryWheelchair Accessible

A short list of things
worth driving for.

№ 01 · House Favorite

Filet Mignon with mashed taters & green beans

Cooked the way you asked. Tender enough that guests have been known to clean the plate before the waiter gets back to check on them.

№ 02

Lamb Shank

Braised low and slow until it falls off the bone. One of the dishes regulars bring their parents back for.

№ 03

Steak Diane

Perfectly cooked, finished with a pan sauce our guests call "fantastic." A true bistro classic.

№ 04 · Start Here

Fried Gnocchi

An appetizer we've had guests describe, in all caps, as INCREDIBLE. Order it. Share it. Order another.

№ 05

Chicken Preparations

Flavorful, simply done, and a go-to for guests who want something lighter without giving up on the cooking.

№ 06 · Don't Skip

Chocolate Mousse

The way to cap off an anniversary, a birthday, or a perfectly ordinary Tuesday in Lodi.

Seafood · Steaks · Pastas · Local Wines · Cocktails · Dessert

“

I wish they allowed more stars to give. The entire experience at Zin Bistro was out of this world. We can't thank them enough for making our 1 year anniversary dinner so memorable. The food left me speechless, from the appetizers all the way through the chocolate moose we had to cap it off.

Josh Belding ★★★★★ · anniversary dinner

“

The filet mignon came with mashed taters and green beans. It was amazing — our waiter didn't even get to check on us before my plate was clean. The restaurant space is small but I found it kinda cozy. Waitstaff was excellent. Absolutely we'd eat here again.

Will Sanders ★★★★★ · 5 months ago

“

My mom and I were impressed by the service and delicious dinner. The lamb shank fell off the bone and the steak diane was perfectly cooked with a fantastic sauce. Great local wine selection and attentive service.

Julie Whiting ★★★★★ · 6 months ago

“

We were from out of town and showed up without reservations. They were gracious and offered us the lone table they had available. Jeff and Brian were very attentive, and the food was delicious! The steak was like butter, and the chicken was very flavorful.

KJ Hardy ★★★★★ · 2 years ago

“

We had the fried gnocchi appetizer — it was INCREDIBLE. The hubby ordered the steak and it was great.

Melinda A. ★★★★ · on the gnocchi

Steak that eats like butter.

Small in size.
Generous in every other way.

A short list of things
worth driving for.